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“It’s great. Penelope has been helping me in the kitchen and she even waited tables at Sally’s Diner the other day.”
I already knew this of course—hello small town—but I pretend I’m hearing it for the first time.
“That’s nice. I didn’t take you for a waitress.” I glance in her direction and lock eyes with her.
Her cheeks turn pink, and I can’t help but hope that it’s me affecting her the same way she affects me.
“Sally was running around like crazy. I liked doing it, I met so many people.”
“Oh I bet you did. Almost everyone in town goes to Sally’s.” Normally I can talk to people just fine, but when I’m in front of Penelope, my tongue sticks to the top of my mouth.
"There's my new favorite person!” I hear Sally before I see her.
She comes running up and wraps her arms around Penelope like they’ve been friends forever. I knew they’d get along, and a part of me is glad to see I was right. The other part wishes they hated each other so it would make Penelope leaving easier.
“Hey Sal, nice to see you too,” I say to her back. Pulling apart from Penelope, she spins around and pins me with a glare.
“Well,youused to be my favorite person. You haven’t even come in for your morning coffee lately. Where have you been?”
What’s with the third degree from everyone?
Penelope stares at me and I hope she doesn’t realize my avoidance is because of her.
“I’m working on a big case, but I promise I’ll stop in to see you soon.”
“Poor Dad,” Nora adds. “He’s been so stressed and more grumpy than usual.”
Thanks kid. “I have not!” I say as I flick her in the arm and mess up her hair, which I know she hates but it makes her laugh.
“Daaaad.” She rolls her eyes and fixes her curls.
I love this kid. And she’s right. I’ve been stressed and low on patience, but it isn’t for the reason Nora thinks. In fact, there isn’t even a big case—only my thoughts of Penelope making me lose the little bit of patience I normally have.
“Well, I’m off. I have a booth over there selling some pastries and hot cocoa. Stop by before you guys leave.” Sally jets off to her booth.
A few inches of snow cover the ground and our breath is visible. The smell of chestnuts roasting fills the air. The sound of Christmas music blares from huge speakers and can be heard throughout the entire town.
“Grandma, Pop, can you take me to get some hot cocoa?” Nora asks.
“I can take you,” I tell her quickly. I don’t want to be alone with Penelope.
“That’s okay, we’ve got it,” Mom says with a wink. “Why don’t you take Penelope and show her some of the booths and games.”
Evil, evil woman.
With that, they’re off and I’m left standing on the walkway with Penelope. This is exactly what Ididn’twant to happen, and by the look on her face, I have a feeling she’s thinking the same thing.
Both of us stand there, like middle schoolers at their first dance, saying nothing.
“Which way do you want to go?” She nudges me with her shoulder, breaking the awkward silence. “You know where everything is better than I do.”
“Are you hungry? We could go grab some roasted chestnuts from over there and then visit all the booths.”
“Actually I am. Would you believe I’ve never had roasted chestnuts before?”
“Really? Don’t you live in Manhattan where they roast chestnuts on every street corner?”
“Yep. I’ve smelled but never tasted them.”
