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“I actually wanted to thank you.”
Rachel tilted her head. “Thank me? For what?”
“For the other night.” Meg looked down and scuffed the ground with the toe of her boot. She took a breath and looked at Rachel again. “You just…listened. Most people hear what has happened in my life and want to give platitudes or try to lift my spirits in some way.”
“A spirit that’s had as much pain as yours doesn’t need lifting so much as holding while you heal.”
Meg swallowed hard, tamping down the tears that threatened to fall.
“People mean well,” Rachel continued, “but many times those comments are about their pain more than yours.”
Meg nodded. “I’ve learned that. They need me to be okay.”
“Ah, yes. So, you live your life as if it’s all okay.”
Meg stared at her.
Rachel touched her shoulder gently. “But in living that way for others, where does that leave you?”
The words soaked into Meg’s bones. She’d been living as “Meg against the world,” telling herself it was because she didn’t have the strength to actually face her feelings. But was she also doing it because she fearedotherscouldn’t face her feelings? Because she didn’t want anyone to feel bad because of her?
Rachel looked over to where Baylee—who had gotten distracted saying her good-byes—was talking with Hannah. It could be hours before Baylee actually made it to the bakery.
“You have people here who really care about you, Meg.” Rachel said. “I have a strong feeling if you tell them what you told me, you’ll find your burdens easier to carry, not harder.”
Meg bit the inside of her lip to keep the tears from falling. “I’m afraid that can’t heal my scars.”
“That’s true. But it could help heal your heart.” Rachel picked up Meg’s hand. “Think about it. There are people who care about you. It’s okay to let them.” She squeezed lightly, then let her hand fall. “And that includes me. You can talk to me anytime.”
Meg nodded, words escaping her. She’d spent so long rejecting any offers of a listening ear or shoulder to cry on. As comfortable as she was with Rachel, receiving such friendship didn’t come naturally for her.
“Rachel!” Hannah’s voice carried across the park. “I have one last thing to ask you before you go.”
Rachel smiled at Meg. “Duty calls.”
Meg looked to where Hannah was, then back to Rachel. “Yes. And that duty has quite the agenda, so you better go.”
“She’s a force of nature, isn’t she? I just love her.” She patted Meg’s arm again. “It’s always good to see you, Meg.”
Meg began her walk back to the diner. She’d taken a break to come to the meeting, but Franklin needed her help with the lunch crowd. With each step, she thought of what Rachel had said. Only that morning, Meg had invited Chet to the diner, compelled to give him a peek into her past, the things she missed, the things she’d lost.
And he’d been almost annoyingly quiet.
Most people would have peppered her with questions, but he seemed to have no problem with the silence that fell between them as she gathered the courage to continue. He was patience personified.
With each step she took toward sharing more of herself, the lonely ache in her chest faded a little more and she began to feel better, not worse.
Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe it was time to give more of herself to the people in her life who cared about her. As she opened the door to the diner, she smiled. Hanging out with Baylee later would be the perfect place to start.
*
Chet sat ata table outside the bakery. The sun was out and the air was crisp and cool, perfect for spending time soaking in some rays. A croissant with coffee was a bonus. Although he’d had the most amazing breakfast with Meg, he always had room for one of Baylee’s famous almond croissants.
Dottie lay on the big blanket Chet had spread out for her on the sidewalk beside his chair. There were four tables, two on either side of the bakery door. Because of the dog’s size, Chethad chosen one at the end of the row so she would be out of the way of passersby. However, almost everyone still stopped to say hi and ask about her. He didn’t mind, and judging by the doggie smile she gave everyone who scratched her ears, Dottie didn’t either. Her face was tilted toward the sun, her eyes closed in bliss.
“I’m sure you hear this constantly, but that dog ishuge.”
Chet looked up to see Tyler staring at Dottie.
