too.”
Connie frowns as she watches this exchange. She knows that Hannah’s schedule is open and flexible, that she teaches music to kids and adults but also has some money from her years of playing and performing professionally. Hannah doesn’t need a job, but Connie does.
Madeline adds a sprig of parsley to each plate. “Now, let’s get these breakfast orders out for the Johnsons at table nine. I’ll get the pancakes going for table six.”
“I’ll take those out, Madeline,” Hannah says, and Hannah and Madeline exchange another smile, making Connie feel like a third wheel. Hannah and Madeline have a relationship that predates Connie and it always seems like they have an unspoken understanding of each other. Connie watches as Hannah wipes her hands, then picks up the plates and heads out to the tearoom.
Once Hannah is out of earshot, Connie turns to Madeline. “Hannah doesn’t have to stay if she has somewhere else to go,” she says.She pretends to scan the day’s menu even though she knows it by heart. “I mean, I’m here now.” She ties her apron around her waist.
Madeline glances outside where Hannah’s polite laughter can be heard over the din of forks scraping against the china dishes and random conversations. “Oh, I think she’s happy to be here. The regulars seem happy to see her, too.”
That’s exactly what Connie is worried about. Connie frowns as there’s a bleat from the backyard. “But we don’t …” she begins.
Madeline reaches for a large mixing bowl filled with pancake batter and gives it a quick stir before ladling out a portion onto the griddle. “I think your goat is calling you,” she says.
“Serena can wait,” Connie says impatiently. “We have customers. I can take over the pancakes, Madeline. Did you say table six?”
Madeline shoos her away. “Goodness, I’m already here, Connie. Go take care of your goat or we’ll be hearing her complain all morning.”
For the first time since Serena’s arrival, Connie feels annoyed by her bleating demands. She picks an apple from the fruit bowl and steps out the back door into the yard. It’s early but it’s already starting to get hot, another clear, cloudless day. She makes her way through the path in the garden until she comes upon Serena resting atop her igloo, her legs folded beneath her.
“What do you need? Water?” Connie unlatches the gate and steps inside. Serena’s water bowl is indeed empty, but Connie can tell by the damp earth around it that Serena has tipped the water out herself. There’s plenty of grass and she knows Serena isn’t hungry, but she tosses her the apple anyway. Serena doesn’t move, just watches the apple bounce off the igloo and roll onto the ground.
“What’s with you?” Connie asks as she picks up the water bowl. She heads out to the toolshed to get the water hose. She glances back and sees Serena still sitting on the igloo, a bored look on her face.
Connie quickly rinses the water bowl and fills it with fresh water, glancing anxiously back at the house. Why does Hannah have to stay? Connie and Madeline have developed a rhythm that she can tell is already off because a third person is in the kitchen with them. It’snothing personal against Hannah, and Connie appreciates the other times that she’s stepped in to help, but this is their regular morning crowd.
Her
crowd. The success of the tea salon is due in large part to their ability to turn over tables when it gets full. It’s a delicate balance between keeping existing customers happy while making room for new ones. If Hannah’s going to linger by the tables and chat all day, it’s going to affect their bottom line.
Connie hurries back into the pen and puts the water bowl on the ground. Maybe if she puts Hannah to work at baking some fresh loaves of Amish Friendship Bread, it’ll keep her in the kitchen and out of the—
Connie stands up and stares at the empty pen in front of her.
Serena is gone.
Connie quickly
Connie frowns as she watches this exchange. She knows that Hannah’s schedule is open and flexible, that she teaches music to kids and adults but also has some money from her years of playing and performing professionally. Hannah doesn’t need a job, but Connie does.
Madeline adds a sprig of parsley to each plate. “Now, let’s get these breakfast orders out for the Johnsons at table nine. I’ll get the pancakes going for table six.”
“I’ll take those out, Madeline,” Hannah says, and Hannah and Madeline exchange another smile, making Connie feel like a third wheel. Hannah and Madeline have a relationship that predates Connie and it always seems like they have an unspoken understanding of each other. Connie watches as Hannah wipes her hands, then picks up the plates and heads out to the tearoom.
Once Hannah is out of earshot, Connie turns to Madeline. “Hannah doesn’t have to stay if she has somewhere else to go,” she says.She pretends to scan the day’s menu even though she knows it by heart. “I mean, I’m here now.” She ties her apron around her waist.
Madeline glances outside where Hannah’s polite laughter can be heard over the din of forks scraping against the china dishes and random conversations. “Oh, I think she’s happy to be here. The regulars seem happy to see her, too.”
That’s exactly what Connie is worried about. Connie frowns as there’s a bleat from the backyard. “But we don’t …” she begins.
Madeline reaches for a large mixing bowl filled with pancake batter and gives it a quick stir before ladling out a portion onto the griddle. “I think your goat is calling you,” she says.
“Serena can wait,” Connie says impatiently. “We have customers. I can take over the pancakes, Madeline. Did you say table six?”
Madeline shoos her away. “Goodness, I’m already here, Connie. Go take care of your goat or we’ll be hearing her complain all morning.”
For the first time since Serena’s arrival, Connie feels annoyed by her bleating demands. She picks an apple from the fruit bowl and steps out the back door into the yard. It’s early but it’s already starting to get hot, another clear, cloudless day. She makes her way through the path in the garden until she comes upon Serena resting atop her igloo, her legs folded beneath her.
“What do you need? Water?” Connie unlatches the gate and steps inside. Serena’s water bowl is indeed empty, but Connie can tell by the damp earth around it that Serena has tipped the water out herself. There’s plenty of grass and she knows Serena isn’t hungry, but she tosses her the apple anyway. Serena doesn’t move, just watches the apple bounce off the igloo and roll onto the ground.
“What’s with you?” Connie asks as she picks up the water bowl. She heads out to the toolshed to get the water hose. She glances back and sees Serena still sitting on the igloo, a bored look on her face.
Connie quickly rinses the water bowl and fills it with fresh water, glancing anxiously back at the house. Why does Hannah have to stay? Connie and Madeline have developed a rhythm that she can tell is already off because a third person is in the kitchen with them. It’snothing personal against Hannah, and Connie appreciates the other times that she’s stepped in to help, but this is their regular morning crowd.
Her
crowd. The success of the tea salon is due in large part to their ability to turn over tables when it gets full. It’s a delicate balance between keeping existing customers happy while making room for new ones. If Hannah’s going to linger by the tables and chat all day, it’s going to affect their bottom line.
Connie hurries back into the pen and puts the water bowl on the ground. Maybe if she puts Hannah to work at baking some fresh loaves of Amish Friendship Bread, it’ll keep her in the kitchen and out of the—
Connie stands up and stares at the empty pen in front of her.
Serena is gone.
Connie quickly
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