Friendship Bread by Darien Gee Page B

the parlor, an Avalon tradition. Hannah likes that.
    Her pace slows as she nears Madeline’s. There are more cars and more people coming in and out of the tea salon, reassuring activity for a place that seemed so quiet the first few months Hannah has been here. She spots Julia emerging from her car and smiles brightly when Julia sees her and gives a wave.
    “I’m so glad you could make it,” Hannah says as they meet up and head toward the entrance of Madeline’s. “I’ve been going stir crazy in the house.”
    “Me, too,” Julia says. “I was cleaning my refrigerator when you called.”
    Hannah looks like she’s about to apologize but Julia quickly waves it away. “It’s a relief for me to get out, too.”
    They step inside and are immediately enveloped in warm, delicious smells. Many of the tables are taken and Hannah sees a bob of silvery white hair as Madeline emerges from the kitchen with two plates of food, looking frenzied.
    She takes a moment to chat with a customer, picks up a sweaty pitcher of iced tea, and begins to offer refills as she floats from table to table. Both Julia and Hannah hesitate, unsure if they should wait or come back another time. At that moment, Madeline looks up and a wide smile spreads across her face.
    “There you are!” she exclaims, as if she’s been expecting them. She puts down the pitcher and hurries over, greeting them with a big hug before the women can say anything. “Most of my tables are almost finished. Are you in a rush?”
    “I’m not.” Hannah looks to Julia for confirmation.
    Julia shakes her head and says, “Me, neither. I don’t have to pick up my daughter for a while.”
    Madeline’s eyes twinkle. “Perfect! Make yourself at home and I promise I’ll take good care of you.” She scurries away.
    “Gosh, she’s getting busy.” Hannah looks around, a little intimidatedby the small crowd. It’s a funny thing—she can perform in front of fifty thousand people in Central Park but freezes up in a room of twenty-five. It’s a bit of a relief when Julia spots a table and leads the way—Hannah just has to follow.
    “Avalon isn’t exactly a huge draw for new businesses so I’m glad to see that business has picked up for her,” Julia says. Her eyes quickly scan the room before dropping down to her menu. “Looks like she has a few locals. Mostly tourists, though.”
    “Avalon doesn’t seem like much of a tourist town,” Hannah notes.
    Julia nods. “We’re not really, but people like to drive up and down along the river. Avalon’s an easy stop along the way.”
    That makes sense, seeing that’s exactly how Philippe and Hannah found it. She remembers the quaint wooden sign that welcomed them to Avalon when they first drove in, unsure of what to expect but curious just the same.
    Julia points to something on the menu. “Look at this—‘A Trio of Finger Sandwiches.’ Salmon and cream cheese, turkey with a cranberry relish, fresh goat cheese with watercress. That’s what I’m getting.” She seems pleased by her selection. “What about you?”
    Hannah glances at the menu, at the soups, salads, quiches, and sandwiches, and has no idea what to order. It’s not an extensive menu but the choices seem overwhelming. Hannah is not a picky eater—she never has been. She usually goes along with whatever Philippe wants, not because she’s a pushover but because it’s just easier. Hannah has never had to give it much thought before.
    Everyone around her is eating something that looks good. Julia already knows what she wants. What does Hannah want? It’s just lunch, after all—not the rest of her life. She finally gives up. “I’ll ask Madeline to recommend something.” She puts down her menu, disgusted that she can’t even make this one simple decision.
    Madeline comes by with a carafe of iced tea and two tall glasses. She places it all on the table. “An iced ginger green tea,” she announces. “My own special blend. There’s some simple