Page 13 of Red Hot Roaster

We held off on chitchat until Vera—who was almost as old as the place itself—bustled over with our drinks a few minutes later. Lauren led the toast with “to Ellie!” and the rest of us raised our glasses in response—“to Ellie” and “to Mom.”

We heard echoes of “to Ellie” around Fay’s—from Kurt, Vera and many people there. If you were from the neighborhood, you likely had known Mom and would be coming to the party tomorrow.

Mica started off with questions about Finn, no surprise there. They’d all known my son since he was born, and Mica, being a few years younger than the rest of us, had even babysat him early on. And they knew he’d adored his grandma, his one and only.

“How’s he doing?” Mica asked. “Has he settled in at school? Is he answering your texts with more than three words?”

This was a standing joke among my girls. He’d answer my long texts—to make up for the lost art of emails—with two, three, or if I were lucky, four words.

“Yeah, he’s kinda okay, I guess.” I shook my head. “He’s still worried about me. He texted again about taking a gap year—just staying home when he comes up for Mom’s party.”

Gasps broke out around the table.

Jen said it first. “He’d lose his scholarships—right?”

“Yep, along with support for room and board. We could maybe swing some more loans if he returned to school, but we’re already maxed out with the roastery expansion.” And extra for Mom’s care, although I didn’t need to say that. They knew.

Everyone was silent for a moment, remembering. Finn had worked hard to get scholarships and work-study grants to an out-of-state school known for its mechanical engineering program. Summers and after school, he’d put in time at the café and roastery—all for the same wage as the other kids on the crew.

As we were gearing up for expansion—bam!—the pandemic had hit. We’d closed the café and roasted coffee for online sales only. Then Dad had his fatal heart attack, and Mom had been diagnosed with colon cancer. By the time we’d reopened, she was in her final months, and Finn…Finn was fighting me about going to college at all.

You’ll be alone, Mom. You’ll be living in our big house all by yourself. You’ll be running the Chocolate Lab on your own. I don’t like it.

Turned out, my son was just as stubborn as me. Luckily, his grandma had been more stubborn than the two of us combined. Even in her weakened state, she’d pushed us out the door and into my packed beater for the long drive to California. And she’d made Finn promise he’d come home for her party this fall. As if there’d been any question.

Finn knew, like my girls, that we couldn’t count on any money, support or even contact from his father. I’d been careful to never set up false expectations—I hadn’t wanted my son to be hurt the way I’d been.

The man—dog butt number one in the stabby-toothpick scenario—had never acknowledged Finn’s existence. The moment I’d told him I was pregnant, he’d ghosted me.

And what was worse? I hadn’t learned my lesson. I’d let Brent get too close to me…too close to my young son, and then he’d bailed at the last moment. He’d earned the dog butt number two spot for the stabby toothpick.

So, nope. I didn’t expect anything from guys, didn’t trust they’d stick to their word. Or just plain stick.

That’s why, despite Mom’s urging, I’d put away my dream of finding a true—and true-to-me—relationship.

I clapped my hands to break the pensive mood. “Finn will get here tomorrow, and you can see for yourselves how he’s doing. He’s found a rideshare and will arrive in time to help set up for the party.”

“Guess who else is helping get ready for the party?” Lauren put to the group.

“Besides us and half of Dogwood?” Jen asked, pointing out the obvious.

Annnd before I could stop her, Lauren blurted out, “Rose’s new red-hot roaster!”

“Yes!” shrieked Mica, never one to hide her enthusiasm.

“Wait, wait,” said Jen. “Who is this guy, and why haven’t I met him?”

“Okay, ladies, everybody take it easy!” I glanced around us while making calming motions with my hands. “Rafe arrived yesterday, and he’s going to be my temporary coffee roaster while Mike’s out with his broken leg.”

“Well, he seems super nice,” Mica declared. “I met him when he carried Goldie down to the clinic, and he’s already called to schedule a time for his dog to get her annual vaccinations.”

“I met him just before we came here,” added Lauren, fanning her face. “He couldn’t take his eyes off our girl.”

I snorted. “He was shocked to see me in something other than my usual getup.”

I’d traded in my pink T-shirt and sneakers for a pink scooped-neck sweater and pink patent-leather flats.

Jen turned to me and said one word, “Spill.”

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