Page 84 of When In Doubt

“Byeeeeeeee!” she yells before hanging up. As the line clicks dead, I feel the silence drape over me like a blanket. I hope she’s okay, but I don’t think she’d tell me if she wasn’t.

Fuck, I miss her so bad.

I head out to where I cleared the shop floor, making space for a large folding table and five chairs. Each one is set out with crochet hooks, a few balls of yarn and a printed pattern for a stuffed hedgehog. It’s my first time running a workshop. I’ve wanted to have them since I opened, but I wasn’t sure where to start. It wasn’t until I chatted to another store owner at the convention and got some tips that I felt like I could actually do this.

When the clock hits six, I see Becca leaving the diner and heading toward me, a tote bag slung over her shoulder. She enters with a warm smile. “Hi!” she says, coming over and giving me a hug. I squeeze her back and she gives my back a little rub. When she pulls away, I gesture for her to sit, just as the door opens again to reveal my biggest surprise - Andrea. I hadn’t been expecting anyone from the knitting group to make an appearance, but she was the first person to sign up.

“Andrea! How are you?” I say as she puts down her many bags and sits next to Becca.

“I’m ready for you to finally explain these darn teddy bears.” She laughs, gently setting aside the supplies I laid out and rummaging in one of her bags to find her own. I don’t take offence, I know how particular craft people can be, but I didn’t want anyone to feel like they couldn’t have a go just because they didn’t have the materials.

“I can’t believe you’ve really never tried this before,” I say to her. I’m teaching beginner’s amigurumi tonight, and I’m shocked that someone as advanced as Andrea would never have done this.

“Oh, I’ve tried.” She smiles to herself. “But I know when to admit that I need help.”

Once the other two members of the class arrive, I get started, explaining each of the basic stitches, and then watching as they each try it. Becca gets tangled at one point as she tries to join up her magic loop, but after I show her a couple more times, she’s able to get it. She knocks her shoulder against mine. “You’re a great teacher,” she says, too softly for anyone else to hear.

I grin. “Thanks,” I whisper. I was so worried that I wouldn’t be up to leading a workshop like this. I’m not great at public speaking, or talking in groups, especially with people I don’t know. But if there was ever a subject that I could try with, it’s crafting.

“See, I told you you’d like it,” I say to the rabbit in my lap. In the ten days since Oscar dropped him off, we’ve definitely become besties. Maybe Oscar would be up for some kind of shared custody?

I get a nose scrunch back, but I know his game. It took a little convincing before he allowed me to put the sweater on him, but once he was in it, he had a good time. At least, he hasn’t started ripping it to shreds. I pick him up, holding him close to my face as I snap a picture.

FREYA

I don’t think you’re getting him back.

*Image attached*

Is it weird to send him a selfie? I mean, it was just me and Harvey, but I don’t know if we’re at the selfie-sending stage yet. I put Harvey back on my lap, just as my phone lights up.

Holy shit, it’s Oscar. I scramble to read it.

OSCAR

Did you make him clothes?

You know he kind of has that covered, right?

He’s alive! He’s texting!

FREYA

I think he looks very distinguished.

OSCAR

Just what every domesticated animal is concerned with

FREYA

Should I take it off him?

OSCAR

Hell no

It’s fucking adorable