Life, Etc. -- Two

          Megan took her coffee out onto the deck—her favorite place to watch the day begin.  Even during crisp mornings, she loved the contrast of the hot coffee warming her insides and the cold air against her face.

          Their living quarters were above the Book ‘n Brew—the name she decided upon when her architect thought a coffee shop an excellent addition to the bookshop.  Megan had some hesitations about living in an apartment, but the old brick building had such character, and with weeks of remodeling and refurbishing, the historic structure took on life and color and everything she’d hoped for.

          Emily opened the door from the kitchen.  “Mom, do I have to go to school today?  I have a headache!”

 

          “You can stay home when your temperature reaches 106 degrees and your left leg falls off,” Megan responded with a smile.

          “O, Mom, I never get any sympathy from you!”  Emily went back inside and soon Megan heard the bathroom door open and close.  Perhaps Emily was giving up easily this morning.  Although she really liked school, she hated early morning any day of the week.

          Megan went back into the apartment and headed for her bedroom.  Emily popped her head in to ask about a top she wanted to wear.  “It’s probably where you took it off after school last week.”  She now sympathized with her mother for all the hours she’d spent trying to get Megan to pick up after herself.  Emily just didn't see clutter as a problem.

She would turn 11 in February—goodness, how could that possibly be?  This beautiful, bright eyed and very sharp little girl was turning into a young woman—well, perhaps just an adolescent.  Since Megan didn't have good memories of her own teen years, she wanted better for Emily.

 

          The two met back in the kitchen to eat breakfast.  When Megan was married to Jonathan, even working full time, she loved cooking!  Italian was definitely her favorite—the sounds of the words focaccia, cannellini, crostini, ravioli, and fettuccine caused her to salivate.  The more Italian it sounded, the more often she found herself with a cookbook propped before her.  That was one thing Jonathan appreciated about her.  He loved to have his business associates for dinner.  Well, until he decided he liked his female associates more than her Italian cooking.

 

Currently Emily was going through a white food stage—mashed potatoes, white rice, white bread.  “Green” sent her ballistic, so that left out 90% of salad ingredients and vegetables.  But Megan continued to remind herself that she must pick her battles.  This morning it would be oatmeal and toast—she hoped that was white enough.

 

“Emily, do you want me to pack your lunch?”  Secretly Megan hated packing lunches, but that I’m-a-good-parent-for-asking feeling came over her when she made the request—always hoping Emily wanted a hot lunch.

          “No, Mom, I saw the menu for this week and I want to buy it.”

          “OK—Em, don’t forget to feed Muscato and Gilly before you leave!”  Muscato was Emily’s very sweet gray tabby.  Every night Muscato found his way under the covers up against the back of Emily’s legs.  They adored each other.

 

Gilly, on the other hand, worshipped Megan and never wanted her out of his sight.  Gilly’s name came from the Scottish word “ghillie” a fishing attendant.  His official role found him downstairs each morning greeting customers with tail wags and kisses for those short enough—a sort of greeter attendant.   He had strict orders never to enter the Brew area, and so far there hadn’t been any complaints from customers.  His reddish gold fur, black snout and the most gorgeous natural black eye make-up, along with his genuine love for people made him the favorite of all children and most adults who came into the shop. On more than one occasion, Megan did question her sanity for having a 70 lb dog while living in an apartment.  However she reminded herself at those times that his loyalty was far more than she’d had from any two-legged male—so he was worth it!

          After Emily left for school, Megan dressed for her day—a pair of black slacks and a mint green knit top.  She really needed to do some shopping—the local thrift shop had more to offer than Megan’s closet.  One of the reasons she loved Maple Village was its proximity to Eugene—only an hour away.  She enjoyed university towns—but her Shopping-and-Getting-Acquainted-with-Eugene Day had not yet fully materialized.  She tied her strawberry blond hair into a ponytail and called it “good.”  Time to get downstairs!

            To be continued...