Page 16 of Soaring Free
Our family owns properties in multiple cities, and I have a few of my own as well, but our mid-century style suburban home is the only place I want to spend an extended period of time.
It’s home.
Walking into Java Jive, I’m greeted with another perk of living in a small town when I see the little kitten with claws that has been on my mind, sitting at a table in the back corner, talking on her phone with a laptop and notebook spread across the table. I wait my turn in line and a cheerful barista welcomes me to Java Jive as I step up to the counter. The barista has deep auburn hair with subtle dark purple streaks and bright green eyes, creating quite the contrast with her hair. She seems familiar, and I’m good with faces but I can’t place if I know her.
“Hey, good morning! What can I get you?” She smiles as everything about her oozes Zen, peace, and joy. I glance for a nametag but they don’t usually wear them at Java Jive, likely because everyone knows everyone here.
“Good morning, can I please get a large black dark roast, and a large salted caramel cream latte, two cinnamon rolls to go, and also…” I lean over and nod toward where Savannah is sitting. “Can I also get another of whatever the lady has back there and one cinnamon roll for here, please?” I don’t know Savannah’s thoughts about Java Jive’s cinnamon rolls, but I’m guessing she loves them like everyone else in Forrest Falls.
The barista looks over her shoulder to Savannah and briefly pauses before her smile returns to her face. “Absolutely, sir. I’ll have that right up. The cinnamon rolls will be ready in just a few minutes. I can run them out to you. Can I get a name for the order?”
“Theo. And I usually know the baristas but I don’t think we’ve met, so I apologize for not knowing your name.”
She extends her hand to me. “Hello, Theo. My name’s Cami. It’s nice to meet you.”
I shake her hand and smile in return before tapping my phone to pay the total. “The pleasure is mine, Cami. Are you new to Forrest Falls?”
She turns to start making the drinks before replying, “I am actually. I just moved here last month. It’s been great so far.”
That explains why I haven’t met her yet. “Where did you move from?”
She tips her head side to side as she answers, “Here and there. I’ve kind of lived everywhere. Seattle, Houston, Miami, but most recently was Denver, and I was so over their winters. I mean, some people love it, but I wanted the ability to do yoga outdoors year round and that just wasn’t feasible in a blizzard.”
Cami is young, maybe early twenties, but there’s a storm that has flashed in her eyes a few times, even in this brief conversation. There’s more to her story but she isn’t a client that I need to interrogate, and there’s an actual client I want to checkin on. We talk about the weather and upcoming town events as she puts my drinks in a carrier with a smile.
“Have an awesome day, Theo!” Her enthusiasm feels genuine as she fiddles with a purple crystal on a dainty necklace and leans against the counter.
“Thanks, and welcome to Forrest Falls, Cami.” I nod in her direction before turning to walk to the back of the shop. Savannah is on her phone and taking notes as she talks.
“Yes, I understand. I apologize for the confusion. That card will work moving forward … Thank you for your time, I appreciate it … Yes, you too. Goodbye.” She hangs up and finishes whatever notes she was taking. While she is clearly frustrated by whatever phone call she was just on, she still conducts herself with such poise and grace, as though Savannah is a skilled ballerina and the world is her stage. “Good morning, Mr. Smith-Harrington. How are you?”
“Hello, Savannah, and it’s Theo, please. I was just popping in to grab some coffee for my assistant and me.”
She scrunches her eyebrows slightly in confusion. “Shouldn’t your assistant be getting you the coffee? I mean, that’s nice, but I doubt Shane would even know if his assistant drinks coffee.”
“Well, add it to the list, the very, very long list, of ways I am different from Shane Williams. But no, not backwards. Cian is my assistant but he is an essential member of my team. I like to stretch my legs a bit before I get stuck behind a desk with too many meetings.” I nod to the vacant seat across from her, and she nods in response before I take a seat and set the drink carrier on the table. I pull the drink out for her out and slide it across the table as I take a drink of my own. “Thought you might want a refill. I have a cinnamon roll coming for you too, but they were making a fresh batch.”
“Ooo yum. I love their cinnamon rolls.” Savannah looks over her shoulder and back to me. “Have you met that barista before?” She nods to the front counter.
“Cami? I actually just met her. She just moved here from Colorado.” Savannah looks inquisitively at the bohemian barista. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, it’s probably nothing, but she seems familiar. Vivian thought the same thing but neither of us can figure out why. And maybe I’m being paranoid, but it kind of feels like whenever I go to order, if she’s working, she suddenly disappears. The other day, she barely rang up my order before having another barista take over. I almost wonder if I did something to make a bad impression on her or something.”
“Well, let’s fix that right now.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her as Cami walks up carrying a plate loaded with an oversized cinnamon roll and a Java Jive box holding the two cinnamon rolls to go.
Cami doesn’t make eye contact as sets the plate on the table. “Here you go, fresh out of the oven, so you may want to wait a minute but don’t wait too long, they’re best fresh!” She grins but freezes when she sees Savannah. The hesitation is interesting.
“I know you’re pretty new to town, but Cami, have you met Savannah yet? Savannah Callahan-Williams, this is Cami … I’m sorry, I don’t think you told me your last name.” I look to Cami who’s shifting from one foot to another and looking anywhere but at us.
Cami audibly gulps before realizing we’re waiting for her to say something. “Of course! I’m sorry, yes, hello, don’t mind me, my mind wanders sometimes. Hi! I’m Cami Walsh, it’s nice to meet you.” Savannah sticks her hand out to shake and again, Cami pauses before quickly accepting her greeting. Strange.
“Hi, Cami. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve seen you around but haven’t had the pleasure yet. How are you liking Forrest Falls so far?” If Savannah notices any of the hesitation from Cami, she gracefully ignores it.
“Oh, it’s been great! The whole crew here have been great to work with. Java Jive and really the whole town has awesome vibes, which makes everything better.”
“Yeah, Java Jive is great. It’s like our unofficial town square, everyone meets here. I’m sure you’ll meet most of the town just working here!” Savannah laughs and Cami smiles in return. Now that I consider what Savannah said, I can see what she meant. There is something familiar about Cami Walsh but I’m not quite sure what it is at the moment.
“I better get back to work, it was nice to meet you. Enjoy your cinnamon rolls!” Cami waves and all but runs back to the counter.
