Page 15 of Winter Break

“And I guess I’ll see you at the house later, Turner?” For some reason, my heart was pounding. My impulsive road trip wasn’t working out the way I had planned.

That’s because you didn’t have a plan.

“Um, actually, Dalt.” I tried on for size the nickname Anita used, and Dalton’s smile told me he liked it. “The thing is, I thought I would surprise Brett. You know, come and meet Mallory and all. So he doesn’t know I’m here.”

“Oh! Well, he’s gonna be thrilled.” Under his breath, he said, “I said that already.”

For some reason, Dalton seemed nervous. Anita smiled at me again, and I could feel her eyes on me as Dalton continued to talk while moving to the chair to tuck a few books back in before lifting the box.

“He, um … talks about you moving here sometimes. Says he thinks you’d love it. I mean, who wouldn’t love living at the beach, right?” Dalton tried to shrug, but the box tipped and he had to stumble to keep from dropping it. His blush returned in full force.

“For some people, it can actually be an acquired taste.” Anita smiled at me.

“Three months of insanity followed by days with only one customer.” She looked at me carefully as she explained. It was something we had talked about two years earlier as well; something that had stuck with me.

“It’s not for everyone, but some of us swear by it,” Anita continued. “The first time I stepped on the boardwalk, I knew I was home. Some people can just feel it. Some people just know.” My heart was beating so fast it was painful. It was like she could see right through me.

“Go on now, Dalton, get rid of that heavy box and get out of here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Dalton remained on the same spot, balancing the awkward box, despite agreeing with his boss.

I was about to speak when Dalton said, “And, um. I’ll see you later, Turner.”

“About that, Dalt. If you could keep it a secret that I’m here. Just until I reach out to Brett. I don’t … I mean, I really do want to surprise him.”

“Yeah, sure. Of course,” he said as he backed up a few steps before turning and heading through a curtain to the back of the store. Guess I was going to have to figure out that plan pretty quickly. I certainly couldn’t hide from Brett or his family forever, what with Dalton knowing I was in town. If nothing else, it wouldn’t be fair to him.

I may have been staring at that curtain when Anita said ... something. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear her.

“I’m sorry, Miss Anita, what did you say?”

“I asked if you’re really here to shop? And please, it’s just Anita. Only the kids call me Miss Anita. I don’t blame you for picking the habit back up; I’ve known your best friend since he was seven.”

“Anita.” I nodded. “And of course, I’m here to shop. I wanted to get an ornament for the Garners’ tree.”

“For the family that doesn’t know you’re coming?”

I sighed. “All the more reason to not show up empty-handed.”

She looked at me long and hard. I felt like I was easier to read than that slim pink book with the rainbow unicorn on it. Eventually, she narrowed her eyes and said, “Coffee?”

At first I was confused. Did she sell coffee in the toy store? I looked around even though I had spent a good bit of time there two years before, and the place looked like it hadn’t changed at all in that time. She clearly hadn’t started selling coffee, so I guessed she was offering me a cup, which made perfect sense. We’d shared coffee most mornings during my last visit.

I nodded. Emotion welled up in me for some reason. Exhaustion, maybe because of my overnight drive and restless respite on a reclined car seat.

“Sit,” she ordered, pointing to the comfortable chair on the little stage.

“Looks like you need it black?” she asked as she walked away. I nodded, but I don’t think she required me to answer.

I was too anxious to sit as she had asked, but instead of heading toward the tree in the window, whose ornaments were for sale, I found myself flipping through a copy of the children’s book that Dalton had been stocking. It was a play on the ugly duckling, starring a unicorn with a rainbow-colored horn.

Anita returned with two cups of coffee, her glare leaving no room for argument. I dropped into the chair.

Anita placed the two mugs on the small table I had taken the book from. I put it back in its stand while Anita dragged a stool from behind the counter and across the hardwood floor, the noise filling the room.

“You went to school with Brett, right? So, what, you must be around twenty-five now?”

“Almost.” I nodded, feeling immature, like a kid counting half birthdays to make himself seem older.