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“I miss the everyday stuff,” I whisper “Don’t s to make every minute special, Cory You can’t keep it up You’re a wreck”

She nods, tears still slipping silently down her cheeks “It’s been so hard,” she adwith the baby, and I feel so guilty soain, Erocery store, and Eht before, and this old woman told me this was the happiest time of my life and I wanted to stab her with a knife!”

I burst out laughing at the vision of gentle Corinne killing a senior citizen in the produce aisle After a hs, too

“So…and I’s bottled up,” I offer “You knohat I think? I think Chris will love you even ”

She looks ather look like a scared little kid “Really?” she asks

“Yes Trusther “Now you need to get sory tonight, I’ll feed her She took the bottle just great Okay?”

She starts to say so…advice, no doubt…then reconsiders “Okay Thanks, Lucy” She stands up and heads for the guest room “Luce?” she says, her voice tentative “I’m sorry I said I was afraid to be like you You knohat I ht?”

“Sure, honey,” I assure her “Now go to sleep”

I check on E, her littlekisses in her sleep I touch her head with one finger

You’ll ine going upstairs to report on Corinne, to kiss hi back down to watch over E to the rescue Maybe even to tell hireat father

But I don’t Instead I give E roo DVD with the sound off

CHAPTER TWENTY

“MAYBE YOU’D LIKE THE CHEESE DANISH, Mr Doest

It’s been a long day Corinne came in for lunch so Eo away for the weekend, do a little ca in the Adirondacks, and Corinne needed so eaten by a bear or falling off ahis odds of a car accident were a lot greater than grizzly attack but knowing to keep my mouth shut

Mr Doravity, then nods thoughtfully “I think I’d enjoy that, dear,” he says “Thank you”

I glance at the clock…it’s three-thirty “I’d love to have a cup of tea if you have the tiest

His solehts up “That would be lovely,” he says “Maybe we could take a little walk and get so at the place down the street”

I wince “Starbucks?”

“Yes It’s quite the rage, I understand The coffee culture”

“Sure,” I concede After all, this will be a big deal for Mr Dos I have toward Doral-Anne hardly ainst that

“I’ll be back in a while,” I call toout for a coffee”

“Hoeet,” coos Rose “Have fun!” As I take off my apron, she darts to my side “See if he’s interested in a date, Lucy I wouldn’t mind an older man”

I s from Starbucks?”

“Oh, no,” she says, glancing at the clock “It’s almost happy hour”

Right It’s Friday Taking Mr D’s aro slowly We shuffle down the street, a few leaves drifting down around us Mr Dombrowski is dressed in a tweed jacket and a cap

“You look rather dashing, Mr D” I smile

“I bought this jacket when“And this hat…ht it for me ere in Ireland”

“She had wonderful taste,” I say, pushing open the door to Starbucks It’s the sa froers sit at one table near the …plenty of hair tossing and exclai on over there and I smile, the wise older woman Of course we notice you, I think You’re beautiful and bright and young Don’t try so hard

“What are you doing here?”

Ah, my nemesis “Hi, Doral-Anne,” I say pleasantly “Mr Doht, Mr D?”

She glances at the ancient man on my arm “Your new boyfriend, Lucy?” she sneers

As ever, I’m stunned by her meanness “I should be so lucky,” I say clearly

Mr D smiles and squints at the menu “What’s in an Americano?” he asks

“Espresso and water,” Doral-Anne grunts

“I think I’ll have the salted caramel hot chocolate, Mr D What do you think?”

“Sounds rees “I’ll have the same”

“Tall, grande, venti or short?” Doral-Anne asks

“Sainst the ridiculous lingo

“Small for me as well,” my little old buddy seconds

“Nonfat, two percent, whole or soy?”

“What did she say?” Mr D asks

“She asked what kind of“How about two percent?”

“I guess I don’t really care,” he murmurs “I’m ninety-seven years old, after all”

“Make that whole then, Doral-Anne,” I tell her, relishing the fact that she absolutely hates waiting on ht?”