“Hate’s too easy of a word for how I feel about your parents.”
“I’d been collecting them foryears, and they were just gone, all because I didn’t want her to get more liquor.”
“No, it was because you stood up for yourself,” she says quietly, and I suddenly smell roses filling the room. “It’s because you took a stand against a bully, and you paid for it. And ever since then, you’ve given in because if you stand up for yourself, you might lose something that you love.”
I stand in silence, staring at my friend, and feel the blood leave my head.
“You’re right.” I sit on the stool I use when I paint and swallow hard. “You’retotallyright.”
“I should have gone to school to be a psychologist.”
I grin at her. “I can’t afford you.”
“This one is on the house.”
We stare at each other for a long moment, and then I blow out a breath.
“Well, I’m officially done being a doormat, all because mymommywas a bitch. No more, Luna.”
“Atta girl. You’ve got this.”
“Okay, you go away so I can work now. I’m feeling moody, so I think I’ll do the stormy seascape for the south suite upstairs.”
“Oh, perfect. I can’t wait to see it. Holler if you need anything. I’m going to bring you some spaghetti in about an hour.”
“Yum. Thanks. And not just for the spaghetti.”
“You’re welcome.”
She winks, and then she’s gone, and I’m left in the inn with my paints and Rose.
“Okay, Rose, let’s do this.”
“Hey, Sarah,”Angela says the next day at work. She gestures for me to come talk to her by the computer.
“Hey, what’s up, Ang?”
“I have an evening shift again tomorrow, and I have to go pick up my kid in Newport at about five, and I was hoping you’d cover for me.”
“Oh.” I start to immediately agree, and then I remember that tomorrow is my first day off in almost a week, and it’s been the week from hell. “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time.”
“What? Why?”
“Because it’s my day off, and I have plans. Sorry, Angela, you’ll have to ask someone else.”
“But, I already did.”
And cue the guilt, right in the stomach. But, Ineedthis day off.
“I can’t help you this time.”
“So, you’re just going to let me strand my kid in Newport? That’s pretty shitty, Sarah.”
“No.” I prop my hands on my hips and turn so I’m facing away from any customers who might hear me. “You can make other arrangements for your son. Youknowyou can.”
She blinks and looks away from me.
“I know that we’ve all been overworked, and you want a day off. Well, guess what, so do I. It’s my scheduled day, and I’m taking it. Ialwayscover for you, Angela, so the fact that you’d try to make me feel like crap is pretty shitty ofyou.”