Page 89 of Lucy Loves Him Not
“The lake and that old perfume of hers,” Gracie added.
The rain softened, the sun shining brighter as it rose. We four huddled around the painting, arms around each other.
Sometimes remembering Grandma was an ache that made it hard to climb out of bed, a sharp pang, but sometimes the memory was fierce and encompassing, but sweet, like an early morning rainfall. Nourishing my roots, water to my soul.
I rested my head on Mom’s shoulder, and for a moment, memory powerful like a time machine, I was a girl again on a summer day. Brave, reckless, and hopeful. Waiting expectantlyto see the good the world had waiting for me like Grandma raised me to believe. Knowing there were arms to catch me after any fall, hands to wipe any tears. I glanced at my sisters and my mom, knowing that those things hadn’t changed.
My phone alarm rang, reminding me the school choir was scheduled to kick off the festival in a matter of minutes and they needed me down there to help run the show. I ran out of the tent toward the stage, grateful for the momentary break in the rain. I had on a little, pink sundress, but had tucked a clear rain jacket into my tote bag in case of an emergency.
I ran through the downtown streets weaving through food stands, carnival-like games and prizes, past the pastel carousel, shiny Ferris wheel, and new vendor stations all bubbling with excitement.
It was bigger and brighter than I’d thought possible, like my summer had been.
The concert stage had a makeshift roof built after the storm damage. I listened to the welcome from Adam, who looked so good on stage in his white Sweet River Summer Fest tee shirt that was tight around his strong shoulders.
“I want to welcome Sweet River who has so warmly welcomed me,” he opened his speech. I could feel the crowd melt right along with me. “I often pop into a city, help it grow, then move on. But Sweet River isn’t a pop-and-go kind of place, is it? It’s not only me helping the city grow—it’s been Sweet River helping me grow since I arrived.” His eyes landed on me in the crowd. “This city is warm, funny, helpful, caring, kind, beautiful…” He stepped closer to the edge of the stage, his eyes still locked with mine as I was unable to contain my giggle. “And impossible not to love.” The crowd cheered. I melted. Webroke eye contact and he shouted for everyone, “You deserve to celebrate!” An even bigger cheer.
As the choir sang, Adam found his place beside me in the audience. “Where’s your tee shirt?” he whispered.
“I wanted to wear a dress.” I smoothed down the skirt of my dress.
“How am I supposed to focus on the festival when you’re running around looking like this?” He shook his head ruefully. “You make it hard to keep up my end of the contract.”
The choir started in on a rendition of a song from the Carpenters. “If the festival falls apart, you can blame the rainandmy pink dress.’
He looked around. “It’s not going to fall apart. It’s looking great. Not a single raindrop yet.” He looked up at the sky.
“I think the sun is even peeking through.” I squinted up at the sky, too.
“How are you doing?” he asked, suddenly serious. “I could barely sleep last night.”
“Me, too,” I admitted. “I think I maybe got a couple of hours.”
“I think we deserve a quick coffee break,” Adam offered. Though we both had little walkie-talkies going off on our hips and long lists of places to be, we walked hand in hand down the street to Coffees and Commas. A light drizzle began to fall.
Emma waved us up to the counter when it was finally our turn in the long line weaving outside the shop. “Hi, there,” she said. “How can I help you?”
“Wow, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen you running the front,” I greeted her, placing both hands on the counter.
“I know, I was always planning on helping a little today, knowing how busy it’d be. It’s basically a Sweet River holiday.But I’m running the show solo since there’s an emergency in the back,” Emma said.
“An emergency?” I asked.
“We’ve sprung a leak.” She gestured toward the back of the shop with her thumb. “It’s not a pretty picture. Victor raced over here this morning. We’ve got the whole crew trying to fix it up in a hurry.”
“Can we help?” I offered.
“I think we’re—” But before she could finish, Olivia burst through the doors clutching a plastic bag.
“I’m here with the supplies Victor ordered,” she announced while shaking the bag in the air. Adam and I followed her to the back of the shop, forgetting to even place our orders.
Terrence, Gabriel, and Victor were all staring up at a big hole in the ceiling. Victor was standing on a ladder and peering inside. “Whatever I do now is just a temporary fix,” Victor said to a stricken Katie, who was holding her head in her hands.
“Oh, thank God!” Katie said when Olivia walked in. Victor hopped off the ladder and started digging in the bag Olivia held out to him.
“You’re the best,” he said to her, his voice sincere.
“You’ve helped me out so much lately. I was happy to return the favor,” she said.
