A piece of the story...Part 2

Here's another part of Always and Forever! If you want to re-read last week's section, I labeled it under "Always and Forever," where you can find all of my story posts on the left sidebar. Now to the story... :)

I wandered around the kitchen until I knew the general location of what I would need, then found my way back to the front.

“Feel good back there?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled.

“We open in five minutes.” Leanne leaned her back against the long front counter. Her long black hair fell in braids over her shoulder but loose wisps of hair clung to her tight jawline. The girl, maybe mid-twenties, was sturdy, to say the least. Her height was shocking for a girl, but she made up for it in the gentle curves that rounded out her edges. She was not fat or pudgy, not at all. Simply big-boned and well built. But her smile was warm and welcoming. “So where ya from, Cassidy? Can I call you Cassie?”

“Of course. I’ve lived here in New York all my life. It's the only home I know.”

A dazed look crossed her face. “That must be nice. My family moved around a lot. The longest we ever stayed in one place was sixteen months. That was a good house. My own room, a big yard. I was only twelve at the time.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. Lots of new places to see and explore.”

“Eh, I’d rather be grounded than always on the run, you know?”

“What were you running from?”

“My pa.” Hurt flashed in her eyes.

“Oh.” I could understand that. I could always tell when my mother spotted my father when we were walking down the street or at the grocery store. She’d duck her head, grab my hand, and quicken her pace. Of course, I was curious who my father even was, so I’d look all around for possible candidates. Never did see the one that looked like the father I imagined. “May I ask what happened?”

Leanne was about to say something when the chime above the door sounded. “No time to chat now; the first customers are here.”

The first day working at Clare’s Cafe went pretty fast. Most of the time, there was a constant chime of customers, but the few times there weren’t any, I spent baking cookies, muffins, and all sorts of pastries. The kitchen became my safe haven. Memories of mother and I flooded my mind every time I stepped into one.

I stood over a sink, my hands in the warm subs. I heard the front door chime again but paid no attention to it. Leanne was in the front; she could help the customer.

“Cassie, you have a visitor,” Leanne called.

Curious about the unexpected visit, I dried my hands off and smoothed out my floured apron. I heard an excited voice come from the front and I immediately knew. Tara.

My polar opposite, yet my best friend of ten years. I smiled to myself and pushed through the swinging door. 

“Cassie!” Tara was leaning over the counter talking to Leanne, but she jumped up when she spotted me. She rushed over to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I was hoping you’d still be here. How was your first day?”

“It was great.” I smiled at her enthusiasm.

“Great! Looks like you’ve been busy.” She glanced at my apron powdered with flour.

“Just busy making a mess.”

“Is your shift over?”

I turned over to Leanne, the question reflected in my eyes.

“Yeah, you’re good to go. I’ll lock up when I head out.”

I untied my apron and hung it by the other aprons of various colors and patterns. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Tara looped her arm around mine when I followed her out the door. “Come on! This way.” She tugged my arm, trying to make me walk faster.

“Where are we going?”

“Shopping. You need a wardrobe update now that you’re a business woman.”

I stopped in my tracks. “I can’t.”

“Whyever not?” Her head cocked to the side.

“I-” I rubbed my arm nervously. “Well, you see… I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s my treat.” Tara giggled and continued walking. Still behind her, I opened my mouth to speak. “And you can’t convince me otherwise,” she cut me off before I even started talking.

I rolled my eyes and hurried to catch up with my spunky friend. “Alright. Where to first?”

“There’s a little shop my mum takes me. They have the latest fashions and it is just the cutest place.”

Excitement filled my chest. I had never gotten a brand new particle of clothing before. Brand new for me, yes; but never anything that had never been used before. Upon entering the shop, we were met by a plethora of flowery scents. Dresses, blouses, and skirts of innumerable patterns and styles filled the main part of the shoppe. My eyes were immediately drawn to the rack of party dresses. I persuaded myself that a party dress would be unreasonable. I wouldn’t have a use for it anyway. It's not like I was invited to parties. I didn’t even have a social life.