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As Maye turned around, both Margery and Estelle looked up at her at the same time, completely conspicuously.

“Hello, ladies,” Maye said as she stopped at their table.

“Hi, Maye,” Estelle said sympathetically. She patted Maye’s hand softly. “How are you, sweetie?”

“I’m okay,” Maye said in a thin, chipper voice.

“If you need anything, dear,” Margery said. “Anything at all, you just let me know. It’s not right what that boy has done.”

“Thanks, Margery. And thank you, Estelle. I’m just trying to keep my mind off it all. You know, I was listening to your radio show podcast and am enjoying the school budget debate.”

“Oh, don’t get me started,” Margery said. “I just got my heart rate back to an acceptable level.”

“Well, I’ll let you two get back to your pastries—”

“Before you go,” Margery interrupted. “My son-in-law, Mike, has something for you. Why don’t you stop by the candy shop after this?”

“Aw, Margery, that’s really not necessary,” Maye pushed back ever so slightly that a light breeze could have resisted it.

“It’s from all of us,” Estelle added.

“Thank you both,” Maye said. “It means so much. I’ll head there right now.”

Maye stepped out into the muggy afternoon air, holding her cold brew with toasted marshmallow cold foam, and noticed a little pep in her step that wasn’t there earlier. It wasn’t much, but the conversation with people who she knew had her back and supported her had been refreshing. And it didn’t hurt that the atmosphere downtown was festive and upbeat. Tay wasn’t kidding about the holiday window displays. Pies ‘N Fries had stacked empty pizza boxes in the shape of a Christmas tree in their window and, as she approached Rousseau’s Candies, Maye could see an oversized chocolate Santa holding a candy cane in the window.

As she stepped inside the candy shop, her sweet tooth expanded from her sweet head to her sweet toes. Notes of chocolate, orange, vanilla, and, of course, peppermint mingled in the air. Mike noticed her right away from behind the counter.

“Maye,” he said, holding a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“I had strict instructions to come right over here.”

“Yes, well, everyone wants to do what they can to help out during this time. Even if that means overstepping and intruding on your personal business,” Mike said with a smirk. “Follow me.”

Maye followed Mike towards the register where he grabbed a rectangular box of chocolates. This box looked particularly fancy, with a hand-drawn floral design and a sheer gold ribbon tied around it.

“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Maye said.

“This was assembled just for you. It’s a special occasion collection filled with candies like pomegranate power morsels, tequila sunrise liquor in salted lime chocolate, smokey bourbon-filled dark chocolate truffles—”

“I’m sensing a theme,” Maye eyed Mike curiously.

“We call it our break-up box,” Mike conceded. “There’s also a few mimosa cremes in there. They’re orange and champagne flavored.” Mike winked.

Maye sighed. “I should have guessed…”

“Yaaaa,” Mike said. “Your cousin posted about a dozen updates in the group chat.”

“There’s a group chat??” Maye was exasperated. Before Maye could process how she was the subject of some vibrant group chat, someone popped their head in the front door of the candy shop.

“Maye? Is that you?” A woman’s voice said. “I thought I heard you over here.”

The door pushed open, and in stepped the bookshop owner from next door.

“Hey, Laura,” Maye said.

“Hey kiddo,” Laura said with a warm smile. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but swing by the bookstore when you’re done here, would ya?”

“You better get going,” Mike said. “That’s as nice as she’s gonna ask. Come on back for a refill when you finish that box of chocolates.”