Page 108 of Seasons of Love
When I go back home, I realize lesson planning isn’t going to happen, but there are a few other jobs that need to be done around the house. Or maybe I could stop by Birchcraft, the craft store where Arlo works, and ask when he might be free to talk. Or willing.
If this Mrs. Martin woman is as bad as Sonya made her out to be, Arlo may not want to talk about her. It’s worth a try anyway.
The rest of the day goes by quicker, and Julius’ lemon muffin must have magical powers because my headache subsides considerably afterward. At home, I look at the new posters I ordered to put up on the classroom walls and go through my school supplies to see what will make it into the new year and what will go in the spares box.
By the time I look at the clock again, it’s too late to go to Birchcraft and speak to Arlo, but I still head out because I need to stop at the grocery store to get a few things for dinner.
It’s funny how my shopping habits have changed. When I lived in the city, I did one weekly trip, and it was rare that I needed to supplement it with anything extra.
In Stillwater, I enjoy buying fresh food more often. It’s nice having better meal options and changing my mind because I don’t have to stick to the ingredients I bought a week ago.
It’s also because you like seeing Milo.
Yes, fine. It’s because I like seeing Milo. So what? I’m only human. When you connect with someone, you should hold on to it, right? I might ask him how Sara is.
That’s what friends do, right?
As if by luck, the first person I see in the vegetable section isn’t Arlo, but his boyfriend, Levi. He’s adding a few items to his cart when he sees me.
“Hey, Ellis. How are you feeling after last night?”
“A lot worse than you look. Have you got some kind of special medicine, or is just age on your side?”
He laughs. “It just takes practice, my friend.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
“At least it’s summer break so you didn’t have a class full of kids to teach today.”
I laugh. “There’s that, but I do miss them. I’ve been to the school for a couple of meetings, and the classroom feels too empty.”
“Maybe next year I’ll take photos of them to stick in their chairs so you can still look at their faces. It’ll be my contribution to your summer break wellbeing.”
I laugh. “Photos aren’t quite as noisy. But I like the idea. How’s your photography business going, anyway?”
Levi is a photographer, but when he returned to Stillwater after years away, he took a job as a bartender at The Academy bar and restaurant while he started up his business.
“It’s good, thanks. I’m still working up to what I really want to photograph, but in the meantime, just getting people from Stillwater to come to me is…well, quite a miracle, considering.”
I scratch my day-old stubble, unsure how to approach it.
“Actually, Levi. I…um…I’m looking for some information, and I was told you and Arlo might be able to help.”
“Sure.”
“Who’s Mrs. Martin?”
Levi’s expression changes immediately. He’s holding a tomato in his hand and places it carefully in his cart.
“She’s the person responsible for the lies that took me away from my family for twelve years. She was also on the craft fair committee until earlier this year when she refused to give Arlo a stand at the fair.”
“What? Why? He’s super talented and everyone loves his stand.”
Levi smiles proudly. “He is. Which is why the town stood by him when her lies came out. The craft committee stepped down, so at the moment, there’s nothing in place, but Arlo is working with the other stand holders to come up with a solution.” He adds more things to his cart. “Why are you asking about her?”
“I hate gossip, but I heard there’s a chance she may be involved in plans to transform the playground by the church on the south side of town into a parking lot. Does she really have that much influence with the mayor?”
He looks around as if to ensure there’s no one listening.
