“Okay, well I can help with that, too.”
“Ugh, only if you want to. A few are not nice at all.” The coffeemaker chimes and she shifts her attention back to the kitchen. “The good news is that the people that love her are more enthusiastic.”
“Come on,” she says, handing me a cup of coffee. “We’ve got a lot to go through before the doors open. Oh, and I forgot. Today is toddler story time.”
“What?
“Something new I started. We’ll read a book and hopefully the parents will spend some money. It’s just a new thing I’ve started. I got the idea from Sibley’s school.”
“Sounds fun.”
She shakes her head. “It’s probably going to be a nightmare, but we’ll get through it.”
Anita walks out of the kitchen and back to the front of the store, talking the whole time in that southern, slow, rambling way. I can’t help but think of how my first day in Ocean Beach is way different from my first day a year before. That was the day I met Anita, Justin, and was exposed to this world.
Now, like the guys said at the bonfire…I’m part of the world. Just a townie like everyone else.
5
Summer
The phone rings not long after Bobby picks up Anita for a doctor appointment. Storytelling was over about an hour ago, but I still feel like I’m recovering from the group of small children running around the store. Anita was right, though, the parents spent money, and other than having to straighten the store after they left, I think it was a success.
“Ocean Beach Books,” I say into the receiver.
“Summer!”
“Hey, Mom,” I reshelf a row of books that an exuberant three-year-old pulled off the shelf. “How’s Oregon?”
“Cold,” she says. “I miss my spring weather. How’s the beach? The store?”
“The beach is good, warm, and not too crowded yet. The store is amazing. You did a great job.”
“Oh, it was hardly just me. Richard and Sugar were a huge help with location ideas. Once I brought Anita on as an employee, she really brought in a lot of great ideas.”
“Like Toddler Tuesday?”
“Did that start today?”
“Yep.” I bend down and sweep up a pile of graham crackers into my hand.
“How did it go?”
“Well, it felt like a tornado came through here, but I think overall it went well. Lots of kids and happy moms.”
“Great. I’m telling you, she thinks of everything. She’s been a life-saver.”
The store is currently empty and I move to sit on one of the soft, red couches. “Tell me about your trip.”
“It’s been a whirlwind, too. One night in each city. I know I’ve done this before, but I was younger then. It’s wearing me out.”
“Don’t get sick,” I say, knowing she will. She always does on book tours. “Make sure you sleep and eat healthy. You can’t just eat French fries and candy.”
My mother is a French fry and candy junkie.
“Richard’s here and he’s keeping me in line.”
“Good.”