Page 55 of Finders Keepers

The gradual disappearance of my friends. The declined invitations. The way he’d check my phone, questioning every text, every call.

I glance at Sophie, coloring with Tommy, her face relaxed.

We’re not there anymore and he’s not here.

I don’t have to be that Bailey anymore, the one who jumps at shadows, who asks permission to go to the grocery store, who lost herself piece by piece until she was unrecognizable. I’m learning to be someone new. Someone who can have coffee with a friend. Someone who can build a life here.

“That sounds nice,” I say finally, securing the bouquet with a length of twine. “What time?”

Her face lights up. “Around nine? After the morning rush but before it gets too close to lunchtime. The kiddos can play while we actually finish a cup of coffee while it’s still hot.”

“That sounds good to me.” I smile but it doesn’t reach my eyes.

After Molly pays and gathers Tommy, the shop settles back into it the quiet evening. Sophie returns to her coloring while Mary Beth and I begin our closing routine. The familiar tasks, trimming stems, cleaning buckets, sweeping fallen petals, have become almost meditative.

“You seemed a bit jumpy earlier, Bailey. Everything alright?” Mary Beth’s voice is gentle as she wipes down the front counter beside me.

I pause, mid fold, of one of the shop’s t-shirts. The lawyer’s business card feels heavy in my pocket where I tucked it after this morning’s call.

“I…” I shouldn’t say anything. But Mary Beth’s presence grounds me and I feel safe here in this space.

“Actually, I talked to a lawyer today,” I say, keeping my voice low even though Sophie’s humming to herself in the back office. “Ms. Lucy… she’s been helping me figure things out. Legal things.”

She sets down her cleaning cloth and turns to face me fully. “That’s good, Bailey. That’s really good.”

“It’s scary,” I admit, focusing on continuing to fold the shirts. “But it’s necessary.”

“Well, you’ve got people in your corner now.” She says. “Whatever you need, whether it’s someone to watch Sophie during appointments or just a listening ear. I’m here.”

I shouldn’t be saying any of this. Years of keeping everything locked inside scream at me to stop talking. But maybe it’s okay to be open, just this once.

“Thank you,” I whisper, blinking back more tears. “It means a lot to me.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” She gives my arm a gentle squeeze before returning to her tasks, not pushing for more, just letting me know she’s there. And somehow, knowing that I have people in my corner makes all the difference.

I finish restocking the shop’s merchandise in the glass case and all of a sudden, the shop’s bell chimes again.

I look up to see Ms. Lucy striding through the door. She’s holding a bright yellow flyer in one hand and waving enthusiastically with the other.

“Well, hello there, ladies!” Her voice fills the shop “Hope I’m not interrupting your closing routine.”

“Not at all,” Mary Beth says, setting aside her cleaning cloth. “We’re just wrapping things up.”

Sophie peeks out from the back office, and notices who just walked in. “Hi Ms. Lucy.”

“Well hello sweet pea,” Ms. Lucy beams “Been good for your mama today?”

She nods solemnly, and I can’t help but smile at her serious expression.

It’s then Ms. Lucy turns her attention to me and Mary Beth, waving the yellow paper. “I just came from the community center. They’re hosting their annual Pine Grove Spring Fling and I immediately thought of this lovely shop.”

She places the flyer on the counter, smoothing it flat with her palm. “They’re looking for local businesses to set up booths. Thought Magnolia Blooms would be perfect.”

My stomach tightens as I scan the flyer. The words “EXPECTED TURNOUT: 500+” jump out at me, making my throat go dry. Five hundred people. Five hundred strangers.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for exposure,” Ms. Lucy continues. “They’ll be music, food trucks, and even games for the little ones.”

I force myself to take a deep breath.

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