Page 9 of The Summer Request
“What’re you drinking? And eating? I can bring up whatever you’d like.”
Val clapped her hands together. “Do you have cappuccinos?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll take one of those, please.”
“I believe you owe me a doughnut,” Lisa replied, tapping her chin, “but I’ll accept a coffee and a small pie.”
Michelle laughed. “Coming right up.”
She popped back downstairs, made their drinks, and loaded a tray for the trip up the stairs. Her waitressing days served her well – nothing was out of balance, and she didn’t lose a single drop on the trek up.
When she got back, Val and Lisa were still walking around and exclaiming how nice everything looked.
Val had her hand on a doorknob to the second room. “What’s over there?”
“A little apartment. You can open the door. It’s empty now.”
“What do you do with it?”
“I rent it out. No one’s here this week, though.”
Val opened the door and she and Lisa walked in, followed by another three straight minutes of praise.
Michelle didn’t stop them. She was proud of how things had turned out. It had taken her months to get this place into shape, and all of the design choices were bohemian and minimalistic, just as she liked it.
“It’s completely marvelous,” Lisa said, accepting her mini pie and taking a seat at the small table in the office. “Your mom would be so proud, Shell. Of everything.”
“Thanks. We’ve had some lean years, but I’ve managed to keep things afloat.”
“Did you ever find the time to go for those marine biology classes?” asked Lisa.
Michelle took a sip of her coffee. “No. The restaurant takes up most of my time.”
“That’s too bad.” Val took a seat. “You’d think, with all the online schools now, it’d be easier.”
As if it were ever easy. Michelle had to keep this old café running. Her mom had entrusted it to her. Her parents, both children of Trinidadian immigrants, had started with nothing. They’d put their everything into this place. Michelle had to keep it alive, regardless of whatever whimsical dreams she had for herself.
Besides, she’d never managed to save up much of a college fund for her son, let alone one for herself.
“Even online school is expensive,” Michelle said with a sigh. “Tyler being in school is enough.”
“What year is he now?” asked Lisa. “Don’t tell me he’s finished medical school and I missed it.”
A smile spread across Michelle’s face. “Not yet, but he’s in his last year. He’ll be matching to residency soon.”
“What’s he going into?” Val asked. “Please say plastic surgery. I’d love to have a personal connection to an expert.”
“Don’t be silly,” Michelle said with a laugh. “He enjoyed his oncology rotation, so he’s thinking he’ll focus on that.”
Lisa put a hand to her chest. “God bless him. He’s always had a heart of gold. He gets that from you, Michelle.”
Michelle couldn’t help it; she was beaming. “No, not from me. He takes after his dad. I see so much of Ben in him.”
“He was a great guy,” Lisa said wistfully.
Michelle nodded. “The best.”
