Page 11 of The Summer Request
Michelle’s heart sank.
“Hey! I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
Val stood, extending a hand. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Valerie Villano. I’m sure Michelle talks about me all the time.”
A polite smile crossed Arthur’s face and he accepted Val’s handshake. “Yes, of course. Val, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
“And I’m Lisa.” She didn’t get up, instead waving from her seat.
“I was so sorry to hear about your friend Justine,” he said. “It sounds like you were all so close.”
Michelle shifted in her chair. So hedidlisten when she told him things. Perhaps he wasn’t even pretending to remember who Val and Lisa were.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” he said, turning toward the door. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing, Michelle.”
She forced a smile. “Fine. We’re all good, actually. Just catching up.”
“If you need me to help out here, or cover the café for you for a couple of days, it’s no problem. Take whatever time you need.”
Actually, this dress was the wrong material for summer. Maybe this decade. Did it have wool in it? It was too hot. Michelle could feel heat creeping up her entire body. “Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it, but I’m okay.”
He nodded, then ducked out of the room.
They started on her immediately.
“Excuse me. Why didn’t you tell us about handsome Arthur?” Val asked, hands on her hips.
“There’s nothing to tell. He owns the bakery two doors down and sometimes we…collaborate.”
Lisa winked at her. “Collaborate, eh?”
“He’s abusinessassociate,” Michelle said firmly. “You two vultures can calm down.”
“Vultures!” Val exclaimed, a look of mock horror on her face. “We’re your friends, Michelle. Your oldest friends.”
“That’s right,” Lisa said solemnly. “You know you’re allowed to date, right? We won’t tell your mom.”
Michelle stood, picking up their empty plates and cups and loading them onto the tray. “Have you been dating, Val?”
“I wish I had the time!” Val let out a sigh, dropping back into her seat. “I’m trying to get a new album recorded. Plus I need to plan a tour, PR, and everything while dealing with the divorce. Reggie was a crap manager, you know. There’s so much for me to clean up.”
“Ah, I see.” Michelle finished cleaning as Val elaborated on the plans she had for her singing career.
She’d always been talented, and at one point, she was even successful. For a moment, it seemed like their little small town friend Val would be a worldwide sensation.
But for whatever reason, the moment had passed and left Val behind. She had never given up the fight, though.
Michelle waited for a break in the story to excuse herself. She needed to carry the tray downstairs and check on Nelly.
Mercifully, when Michelle returned, the conversation had changed to memories of Justine. Zora arrived to find a much happier bunch.
“I know you’re all busy, so I’ll cut to the chase,” she said, taking a seat.
Michelle sat back. That seemed like an alarming statement, though neither Lisa nor Valerie reacted.
“As I told Lisa, I’m the executor of Justine’s estate. I’ve been busy trying to get things in order, and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reach out to you yet.”
“Did Justine leave us something?” asked Val.
