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Nich: Anything.
Dana: A hug?
Nich: Anything, love. You name it.
Dana: Maybe I should think of something special then. ??
Nich: Just name it, baby.
Dana: I’ll let you know. Donuts will be ready. Sleep well. Love you.
Nich: Love you too! See you later.
Dana: ??????
Smiling, I looked around the kitchen. A yawn pulled from me, but I wasn’t really tired, just still on an angry high. I needed it to fuck off though. I had things to do today.
I got out my cleaning supplies, got on my hands and knees, and started scrubbing the kitchen floor. Did the kitchen floor need to be scrubbed? No. Not at all, but this was my way of coping with everything. I tried not to be an overly emotional person. Passionate, yes; emotional, no. By the time we opened in a couple of hours, I should be me again.
That’s all I wanted.
“Uncle Charlie!” Lacey’s excited shout drew my attention from the pan of croissants before me. The warm honey I was brushing on the top was now sticking to my fingers. This was a messy yet yummy part of my morning.
“Hey, girly, I brought you in some fresh berries and fruit. Picked them this morning. They’ve been washed already, but another rinse wouldn’t hurt.”
I hurried to wash my hands and move out front. “Good morning, Charles. How are you this morning?” Walking around the counter, I gave him a big hug.
“Morning, Dana. I’m up and moving,” he chuckled. “Thought you ladies could use some fresh fruit. Got some strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. And a handful of fresh figs, lemons, and a few oranges.”
“Thank you so much. You’ve been really busy this morning.”
“My old bones start to hurt if I sit too long.”
Lacey laughed as she snagged one of the peppermint sticks from his shirt pocket. “You know these are my weakness, and yet you tease me all the time.”
“You can blame your aunt for that. She always tucks them in there as I’m heading out the door.”
I took the two big baskets of goodies into the back. I was not one to ever turn down fresh fruit. I pulled out a carton of each berry and set them in a large mixing bowl. I put everything else in the sink to wash again, though I was sure he’d cleaned them ‘til they shined already. I scooped up the bowl and headed back out front.
“Charles, if you don’t mind, I’ll take these next door to Cindy.”
“You don’t have to ask for my permission. What is yours, is yours to do with as you wish.”
“You really are the best, you know that?” I placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Lacey, box up a few bear claws, apple and brown sugar fritters, cinnamon rolls, and the honey croissants for your aunt and uncle.”
“You don’t have—”
“You just told me that I could do what I wanted to with what was mine. Take the treats and you enjoy them with Mrs. Thelma.”
“Arguing with her will get you nowhere.” Lacey snorted. “Trust me on that.”
“Very well. Like you said, I never turn down sweets.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I walked out the front door and moved to the candy shop's door. Cindy had a few patrons milling about, looking at her display cases. She had a great selection on any given day, so it wasn’t like it was an easy choice.
