“Don’t be. Here, put her purchases on my card,” Maggie directs the clerk.
“What? No,” Olivia protests. “I can’t let you do that.”
“I insist. I know you’re good for it.” She smiles. “Remember, I know where you live.”
Olivia manages a weak smile in return.
The clerk hesitates. “So, I’m putting it through on your card?”
Maggie nods.
“I don’t know what to say, except thank you so much,” Olivia says as the two women wheel their carts toward the parking lot at the front of the long strip mall. “I’ll go to the bank first thing Monday morning and get this straightened out. You’ll have your money back by Monday night. I promise.”
“I’m not worried,” Maggie says honestly.
“At least let me buy you a cup of coffee. I swear I have enough money for that.”
“That’s quite unnecessary.”
“My turn to insist. Please.”
“Okay. Sure. Why not?”Why not, indeed?Maggie thinks, deciding it would be rude to refuse, and it might even be nice. Olivia is clearly no threat to her. Besides, what does she have to rush home for? Erin and Leo are spending the weekend with their father, and the groceries will keep.
“There’s a cute little pastry shop a few doors down.”
A few minutes later, they’re settled into a table for two in a corner of the small, brightly lit room, steaming cups of coffee in front of them.
“You’re sure you don’t want one of those delicious-looking tarts?” Olivia asks.
“Quite sure. Thank you.”
They sit for several seconds in silence. It’s been a long time since Maggie had a real conversation with another woman. She realizes how much she’s missed it.
“So,” Olivia says, “I understand you’re from California originally.”
“That’s right.”
“How do you like Florida?”
“Takes a bit of getting used to,” Maggie says. “It’s very different from L.A.”
“What made you relocate?”
“Long story,” Maggie says, deciding it’s way too early for such confidences. “You have three kids, right?”
“Twin boys and a girl. Twelve and ten.”
“That must keep you hopping.”
“It does. Although they’ll be spending July with my parents up in Nantucket, so we’ll have a bit of a break.”
“Sounds great.”
“Yeah. I think my husband could really use it. He’s been the one at home looking after them most of this past year, and it can get a bit much.”
“What doyoudo?”
“I’m in advertising,” Olivia says, her face brightening immediately. “I was a stay-at-home mom for years. Then when my husband got laid off, I decided to go back to work. And I have to confess, I’m absolutely loving it. There’s something about making your own money…” She stops, her mind clearly returning to what happened earlier in Publix. “You?”