Page 56 of Confessions of a High School Guidance Counselor

Chris rubbed his hands yet again on his apron before shaking my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Birdie.” Just like his wife, his smile made me like him right away.

“Cohen’s told me wonderful things about the two of you,” I said.

Gayle grinned at him. Despite the lines forming around her eyes, she looked so young, so full of life. I could tell why Cohen was fond them. “Is that so?” she said.

Cohen shrugged. “Only how you two taught me everything I know.”.

Chris batted his hand at Cohen. “He’s been a smart one ever since he started working here at sixteen. That was just a couple years after we opened.”

I raised my eyebrows. Cohen hadn’t told me he used to work here. Did that mean he used to live in Seaton?

Cohen seemed shy—shy—and said, “Well, I thought I’d show Birdie the best of Seaton.” He got out his wallet. “Can you send out some of your specialties?”

“Only if you put that thing away,” Gayle said, nodding at his wallet. “You know your money’s no good here.”

Cohen shook his head and, tucking his wallet in his back pocket, said, “Stubborn as always.”

Turning back toward the kitchen, Chris said, “You have no idea.”

Cohen took my hand and led me to an open table near the corner of the bakery. I drank in everything—the old men playing chess, the young couple sitting on the same side of the booth, a family with kids running circles around the tables. There weren’t any pretenses here. No, everyone was being exactly who they were. It took special people to make everyone feel so at home. People like my Grandpa Chester.

As we sat down, Cohen said, “What do you think?”

I smiled at him and said, “It feels like home.”

He grinned back as if it were the best answer I could have given. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“I didn’t realize you used to work here.”

“I had to,” he said simply. “When your mom’s an addict and your dad’s nowhere to be found, someone has to put food on the table.”

My heart wrenched, no matter how matter of factly he said the words. “Cohen, I—”

He shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I learned a lot from my mom.”

I waited for him to elaborate.

“I learned quick ways to see who would be kind enough to share a meal. I found out how to live frugally, how to make myself scarce when another boyfriend came around, how to find a vein, you know...” He chuckled softly, but his eyes showed a vulnerability his casual words belied.

“That’s awful,” I breathed. Cohen and I had lived completely different lives, and although I disagreed with plenty my parents did, at least I never had to wonder where my next meals were coming from.

“It was. Gayle and Chris are more than my mentors. They were newly married, had just opened the bakery, and they were still the parents I always wished I could have.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Gayle interacting with another customer. “They’re lovely.”

He reached across the table and took my hand. “And so are you.”

29

Cohen

There was that blush again. It was so damn adorable. Even better was the fact that I’d put it there. Seeing how easily she clicked with Chris and Gayle was just the cherry on top of it all.

When Audrey and I had decided to divorce, I really thought I’d be a bachelor for life—dating around but mostly being on my own. Birdie made me wonder how I’d ever thought that would be enough.

Gayle came with a tray of food—she’d really outdone herself too. From sandwiches to their signature cupcakes, Birdie would get the best of the bakery. That was especially true when Chris came behind holding a few different cups.

“This one’s a mocha, here’s a latte, plain black coffee, hot chocolate, and of course, our signature lemonade.”

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