Page 49 of Where It All Began
“Oh, my God. Okay, wait. Don’t tell me yet. This deserves some coffee. Let’s hit the café.”
“What café?” Phoebe asked, scanning the street in both directions. She’d been in the town square a dozen times in the past month and never noticed a coffee shop.
Elvira pointed at the Airstream trailer, the sunlight glaring off its metal body, taking up three parking spaces in front of the movie theater. It had a green and white awning stretched out over two tiny café tables.
“No. Way. That’s a café?”
“Not a legal one,” Elvira said, adjusting her sunglasses. “Which is great because not being bound by the law means Dixie, the proprietor, stocks up on liquor store minis. How do you feel about an Irish coffee?”
“I feel like my soul demands one. And possibly another donut.”
“You grab the baked goods, and I’ll get us a table before someone beats us to it.”
Five minutes later, Phoebe was perched on a rickety folding chair enjoying instant coffee heavily laced with whiskey and Irish cream.
Elvira took a bite of Danish and sighed. “Okay, now, spill.”
Phoebe filled her friend in with a high-level review of last night’s escapades.
“He drove into his own fence?” Elvira cackled, slapping the table. “Can I ask him about the damage next time I’m out? Can I please?”
Phoebe bit her lip. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. We haven’t exactly decided to broadcast it.”
Elvira pressed her lips together and made a locking motion. “My lips are sealed.”
“You’re from Blue Moon. Your lips are never sealed.”
“Not true! We keep all kinds of secrets around here.”
“Example?” Phoebe challenged her, taking a sip of her coffee. “And don’t use Minnie Murkle and the Snip Shack.”
“Well if you’re going to put restrictions on it, I’m going to need some time. Let me get back to you on that one. In the meantime, tell me what this all means. Are you staying? Are you guys together? What about your master’s and a job?”
Phoebe reached for an apple fritter. “Well, I guess the only thing that’s changed is we’re sleeping in the same bed now. I’m still getting my degree, and I’m still looking for a job.”
Elvira settled her elbows on the table and leaned in. “Why not work here?”
Phoebe shook her head. “I need cash. A lot of it.”
“Bookie problems? Is someone going to break your kneecaps?”
“I wish it were that simple. My parents need the money. And if Nordemann knows this, how do you not know it?”
“She never breathed a word! I’m going to remind that woman of her duties as Town Busy Body. There’s a lot of competition for that title.”
Phoebe shook her head and filled Elvira in on her parents’ predicament. “If I don’t get a job and start contributing now, they’ll lose the house,” Phoebe told her.
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry to hear that.” Elvira reached out and squeezed her hand. “It’s hard to see parents go through a tough time.”
“They’ve dedicated their lives to making sure my sister and I have everything we needed. It’s our turn to give back, and as soon as I get a job, a good one, I can start chipping away at the twenty grand in medical bills.”
“Ouch. Your parents are lucky to have you as a daughter.” Elvira raised her coffee cup. “To family.”
Phoebe clicked mugs with her. “To family,” she echoed. “What about your family? Do they live here?”
Elvira shook her head. “My mom moved to Boca after she and dad got divorced. He lives in Wisconsin with his third wife. I have an older brother in the city.”
“Why did you stay here?”
