Page 67 of Why Cheese?
“That’s…it couldn’t be easy. Having to survive on just that for three months.”
Cam inches closer to me. “Why three months?”
“From when the shop was closed. ‘Cause my uncle died. You know?” Confusion furrows their brows and mine starts to crinkle too. They must have known no one was coming into the store for those three months as it was left to rot. Their exit was covered over.What’s got them…?“Oh. Did you think I meant our three months?”
My face heats up at the misunderstanding. “Sorry. No, I’ll remember to bring food next time. I promise. Maybe I could make something before the store opens…” At nine in the morning. “You won’t starve. I swear.”
A large hand sweeps over mine. I drop the knife to the board and look up into Roq’s eyes. “Good,” is all he says before he takes the cubed bread and adds it to the bowl.
A sinking feeling, like bathing in ice water, overcomes me. I don’t belong. I’m not like them. This isn’t my place and I should let them be.
While they resume eating in hushed tones, I scoot back an inch, then another two more. In time, I can’t even feel the heat of the little fondue pot and I curl my hands around my knees for comfort. I’m leaving soon. Going back home. They’ll be traveling on. Having more wild adventures with new cheese mistresses.
Why should I care if they don’t want to let me in?
They won’t get attached, so I shouldn’t either.
“Vi?” Cam brushes his palm over my knee, then he scoots closer. “Would you like another bite?”
“Um…”
“Or we could do a different sauce,” Brie offers.
“Chocolate!” Cheddy shouts. Then he blinks and smiles at me. “Do you like chocolate?” I give him a quick nod and he launches to his feet. “Yes!”
“Wait! We have to finish the cheese first.” Roq tries to chase after him, then he pauses and drops the box of crackers in my lap. “Please eat it before he dumps our meager supply of chocolate into the cheese. God’s wounds, Chedward!”
They’re all being so wonderful, my spiky ball of anxiety softens to hedgehog spines. Nothing can ruin this night.
Ring. Ring.
Oh no.
“Hello?” Cam says and I spin around on him. He’s got my phone pressed to his ear. “Yes, she is. Shall I ask who is calling?” His easy smile drops and he scoffs. “I inquired it of you first.”
Clacking my teeth, I pull my phone out of his hand and leap up. It’s not until I’m a few feet away that I place it to my ear.
“Violette!” my mother shrieks. “What is happening? Are you on a bus? Did someone sell you for drugs?”
“No, Mother.”
“A strange man answered your phone,” she cries out like it’s one of the signs of the apocalypse.
“I know. He’s…he’s helping with the store.”
“And you let him touch your things?”
Quite a few of my things.
Oh jeez, I shouldn’t think that while talking to my mom. She’ll sense it and lock me up in a nunnery. “He…answered it by mistake. What do you need, Mom?”
“When are you coming home?”
I knew my weeklong endeavor to get her to understand that I’m staying out here to make more money wouldn’t last. I just didn’t think it’d fail in under twenty-four hours. “Not until mid-July. Remember?”
“Of course, I remember. Do you think I’m an imbecile?”
“No, Mom.”
