Chapter Eight

 

I followed the security technician into the back office and sat down in my desk chair. I struggled with calling it my desk chair, since up until a week ago, it was Lucille’s chair. As my butt touched the seat a thought ran through my mind. It was time I went to see her. Whether she knew I was there or not was beside the point.

The technician opened my laptop and hit some buttons. “This is your new security set up,” he explained. “I’ve wired the building with a camera on each corner pointing toward each side, which means there’s nowhere anyone can hide without you being able to see them.”

I glanced up at him. “Won’t they see the cameras?” I asked.

“No, I worked with the electrician to install a camera in the motion sensor of the lights. There’s usually a red light glowing, which would tell someone it was a camera, but we covered it with black electrician tape. The cameras are small and no one will know they’re there.”

I nodded, watching the laptop as people came and went from the diner, and Mason strode outside to dump the garbage in the dumpster. “Boy, you got every angle.”

He held his hands out. “I take my job seriously. No one in the community wants to see you get hurt. After the incident the other night, you’ve made a smart decision updating the exterior this way. I’d been on Lucille about it for years, but she said it was a small-town diner and no one would ever mess with it or her. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone did.”

“It appears you’re right. The other night being here alone while someone was messing with me was not fun. I don’t want to experience it again, and I’m sure the lights alone will deter anyone from coming around. The cameras are added protection, and proof, in case someone does. I appreciate your hard work in getting them installed quickly, Terry,” I said, swiveling the chair to address him.

He patted my shoulder. “Like I said, it’s my job, but the whole city cares about you and as the new owner of the diner, we will do everything to help you succeed.” He held up a finger. “Do you have a smartphone?”

I laughed. “Doesn’t everyone? I’m running an Apple six, why?”

He wiggled his fingers for me to hand it over. I tugged it from my pocket, put in my passcode, then handed it to him. He poked on the screen a few times and handed it back. “Enter your Apple ID, and download the app.”

I did what he said and while it was downloading I glanced up at him. “What is this?”

“It’s an app made by the security company. It allows you to watch the diner remotely from your house or anywhere you happen to be. It will tap into the feed and you’ll see all the cameras in real time. They’ll be small, of course, but if you see someone lurking it gives you the option to full screen just the camera you’re able to see them on. I recommend keeping a laptop open at home with the security feed up at all times, but the phone is an added protection for when you’re not around and the diner is empty.”

It finished downloading and he helped me sign into my account. Sure enough, the fuzzy black and white screens of my diner showed up on the phone. “This is cool, Terry,” I said, grinning like a fool. “I had no idea this technology existed.”

“This is nothing compared to what some companies run, but you don’t need anything super high-tech. All you need is something to keep you safe. This does the job. The cameras automatically back up to the cloud every hour, but the data will be deleted every forty-eight hours to free up space. I tell my clients to take time each day to watch the video from the day before on fast forward. If you don’t see anything suspicious, you can delete it. If you see something you want to save, make a folder on your computer or save it on a flash drive before it gets erased.”

“Makes total sense to me. I’ll make it a habit to do it when I get up in the morning from home. Once I get here I’m usually going nonstop and never have time to sit and look at a computer screen.”

He smiled. “I hear you, and I would imagine as a businesswoman, you wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“The people of Bells Pass have always been supportive of the diner, but over the last week business has picked up as they come in to wish me well, and share stories about the diner from their younger days. The people are what make this diner successful. I know it, and I’ll never forget it. I consider the lights and cameras another way to keep them safe in their favorite place, too. In this day and age, you can never be too careful with robbery and theft. I want the diner to be here for families to come for Sunday dinner, and for couples to end date night with a piece of pie. The cameras will help me relax knowing I can concentrate on them without the worry I’ve been carrying around since Wednesday morning.”

He smiled and patted my back. “I agree. Sure, I’m a security tech, but I’m also a customer and a father. I want to take my kids and wife to places I know have my back, and the Nightingale Diner definitely has my back. I’ll let you get to work. If you have any questions or problems you have my direct number to my cell. Day or night, Ivy, got it?” he asked pointedly and I nodded.

“Got it. Thanks again, Terry. I’ll cut you a check once you send the invoice.”

“The company takes care of the invoicing, I do nothing more than the grunt work,” he grinned, winking. “See you Sunday for brunch.”

He picked up his case and left the office, leaving me to stare at the screen of my laptop. There were four cameras working, one covering the back, one covering the front, and one covering each end of the building. I could see a full three hundred and sixty degrees around the restaurant and I felt the tension leave my shoulders I’d been feeling for days.

I closed the laptop and weaved my way back to the front of the house. At nearly noon, the diner was relatively dead, but it wasn’t surprising considering today is Black Friday and everyone was on Main Street shopping ‘til they dropped. I’m proud the majority of our money stays in the community rather than going to other cities and big box stores. We need to support our neighbors’ businesses if we want to keep Bells Pass alive for the next generation.

The front of the diner was empty, but I knew come about two this afternoon, it would be standing room only when the shopping was done and the bellies needed filling. The bell tinkled and I glanced up from the register, surprised to see Mayor Tottle. 

"Good morning, Ivy," he said, shaking my hand. He was always nothing if not professional wherever he was in the community. 

"Good morning, Mayor Tottle. Would you like a table?" I asked. The Mayor was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. His hair was always perfectly groomed, never a hair out of place, and his suit always well cut and the perfect shade to accentuate his eyes. I suppose he was handsome, but in an unsustainable way. You knew once he got older it would require plastic surgery for him to maintain the air of good looks he currently carries. He's not ruggedly handsome like Shepard, who in thirty years will retain the same rugged lines to his face, even as he ages. Where did that thought come from?

I shook my head as the Mayor shook his. "No table needed, thank you. I actually stopped in to see if you would be at the annual Winter Carnival tomorrow night."

I leaned on the counter and gave him a curious look. "I've never missed one yet. I'll be running the hot chocolate and coffee bar as usual."

He gave me his practiced politician smile. "Good, I was hoping you'd indulge us by being at the pavilion for the kick off of the season. We'd like to introduce you as the new owner of the diner. It's something we do every year for the business district."

I nodded. "I remember. I would be honored to be there. I appreciate the support the city gives its businesses. We couldn't do it without our police and public service workers who are always ready to jump in when there are problems."

He gave me a pained smile, knowing full well the innuendos in my little speech. "Fabulous. We'll see you at eight. Directly after the introduction we will light the tree. You'll be helping since you are officially the newest business owner in Bells Pass."

I stood up straight and shook my head. “Not necessary, Mayor Tottle. I’m more than happy to let someone else take the honor this year. After all, I’ve only owned the diner for a week. It doesn’t seem fair to take the honor from someone else who has been waiting all year.”

He shook his head adamantly. “You’re also the only new business owner this year, so it’s settled. I’ll see you at eight?”

I smiled, swiveling to grab a to-go cup for coffee. “You’ll see me there.” I held up the cup. “One for the road?” I asked.

He pulled his expensive leather gloves on. “I thought you’d never ask.”

 

 

I hurried across the street, the snow officially here for the season. I had just finished cleaning and putting all the pans away from the Thanksgiving dinner yesterday when it started to snow. Overnight we got three inches of snow, and a steady drop in temperatures meant it would be here to stay. The snowflakes were still falling lazily from the sky, but it would make the Winter Carnival tomorrow night magical. The rest of the time, it was just a pain in the tuchas. The Bells Pass Winter Carnival is always held the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a kick off to the holiday season to come.

As soon as Mayor Tottle left, I told Melissa I had to run an errand and would be gone about an hour. Since there was no one there, and wouldn’t be for a few more hours, now was the perfect time to do what I’ve needed to do for several months. I approached the doors of Bells Pass Long Term Care Home and stopped for a moment, sucking in the fresh, cold air. I had no idea what I would find inside, but stopping by to see Lucille was the right thing to do. When I found her in the back of the diner, unable to speak, or move the right side of her body, I called 911 and made sure they got her to the hospital. That was two months ago, and I haven’t seen her since. I’ve checked in on her by phone, but her doctors assured me she wouldn’t understand a thing I said, so there wasn’t much point in visiting the woman. Admittedly, I didn’t mind. I didn’t have a lot of experience dealing with sick and dying people, so not having to face her was something I could live with easily…until I couldn’t.

I grabbed the door handle and tugged it open. Whether she could understand me or not, I should have come by to see her sooner. While we used to butt heads a lot about various and multiple different things, we had a genuine understanding. She acted like a mom and I pretended like I didn’t need one, even though I did. She mothered me, babied me, yelled at me, and praised me, always at the right time and always with enough emotion to get through to me. Now, it was my turn to step up and do the same for her. I knew there was no coming back from where she was. I didn’t have my head buried in the sand. She was in her late eighties and after a severe stroke, she was paralyzed on the right side. The doctors say it’s only a matter of time until her system shuts down. Before that happens, I need to make sure she knows I’m taking over the diner. On the off chance she could hear me, I wanted to be the one to tell her.

I stopped at the front desk. “Hello, I’m here to see Miss Bevvywetter.”

The nurse looked up and grinned at me. “Ivy Lancombe, how the heck are you?” she asked.

I recognized her immediately. Polly, otherwise known as Pollyanna to those of us in her class. “Hey, Pollyanna, I’m good. How are you?”

She turned sideways and her belly protruded a fair amount. “Better than ever. This little one is due in February.”

I smiled, my eyes crinkling at the corners. “Congratulations, Miss I’m Never Having Children,” I teased.

She laughed, rubbing her back a bit and resting her hands on her hips. “Funny how growing up and getting married changes those childhood opinions, right?”

I shrugged, giving her the palms up. “Wouldn’t know. I’m still single, but I’m happy for you. I saw you married Adam and I giggled like a schoolgirl when I read the announcement. Polly and Adam Adams were married on Saturday,” I repeated in a reporter’s voice.

She laughed, clapping her hand over her mouth. “His mother was a loon ball, God rest her soul. We have no intention of naming this one Adam Adams Jr., if it’s a boy.”

“He will thank you forever,” I teased. “Anyway, I should be getting on to see Miss Bevvywetter so I can get back to the diner.”

She came around the desk and motioned me to walk with her down the hall. “I heard you took over the diner. Congratulations on becoming a business owner.”

“Thank you. It’s been a whirlwind week, but this is a stop I should have made months ago.”

“You were always good to Lucille. She considered you the daughter she never had."

I stopped and grasped her arm. "Excuse me? Did she tell you that?"

She nodded slowly. "I thought you knew."

"No, I mean she didn't say it in so many words at least."

"She did to everyone else then. She loved to brag about you and your magic touch with the pies," she said, wiggling her fingers. 

We picked up our walk again, but I was still flabbergasted. "I honestly had no idea. We got on well, but you could have knocked me over with a feather when her lawyer showed up at my door."

She patted me on the back as we stopped by a partially cracked open door. "I can only imagine. I'm glad you were willing to keep the diner open. Everyone in the city loves it there."

"As do I," I assured her. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

She motioned to the door. "Don't stay long and don't be surprised if she never makes a peep. Sometimes she murmurs, but generally she sleeps through the day."

I put my hand on the door handle. "I won't stay long. I wanted to be sure she heard it from me about the diner. Maybe she won't understand, but I should try."

She nodded and headed back to the nurses’ station while I pushed the door inward and approached the bed. The sun streamed in the windows running along the wall giving visitors a nice view of the wooded area butting up to the edge of the facility. Since the majority of the patients would never be conscious enough to see it, I took a moment to appreciate it for the both of us. It also gave me a moment before I had to face Lucille.

I gathered my courage and sat in the chair, staring at the woman, tiny and frail, in the bed. She was covered with a sheet and blue blanket, her hands resting underneath as if she wanted to keep them warm. There were no machines hooked up and she appeared peaceful, as though not a thing was wrong with her. I waited for her to, at any moment, pop up, say good morning, and start barking orders, but she didn't.

"Hi, Lucille, it's Ivy. I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I wanted to come. I should have come sooner, but the doctors said you wouldn't know I was here. I decided on the off chance they were wrong, I wanted to see you again. You spent years looking after me; it’s the least I can do to repay the favor.” I paused and swallowed hard, knowing my words were wasted breath, but the need to tell her about the diner was too strong to ignore. “It meant a real lot to me how you stepped in after my mom died. You were a firm hand and a shoulder to lean on when I needed one. I don’t know what would have happened to me if you hadn’t stepped in and filled the role of a mother figure. I probably would have lost my way. I’m grateful you saw my bluster and bad attitude as nothing more than what they were, defense mechanisms. You gave me an opportunity most kids my age, and in my situation, never get, and that was a second chance to a good life.” I took her hand from under the blanket and noticed her right hand was clawed as it lay on her chest. I stroked it with one hand while I held her left in the other. Maybe the touch of another human being would make her feel loved and appreciated if she couldn’t understand what I was saying.

“The lawyer came by the diner last week and gave me the contract. You can ask Shep how speechless I was. I spoke with Lance and he explained to me about the Nightingale contract. I wanted to be the one to tell you I signed the contract and took possession of the diner and the house last week. I’m going to take care of both of them the way you did for all these years. I already moved into the house, and I’m renting out a room to Shep, who is going to be the handyman. He already replaced the stair with the depression in it after I put my foot through it.” I laughed softly, so if she was understanding me she would hear the levity. “I’m fine, don’t worry. We’re also saving money to put on a new roof come spring. As for the diner, I’m keeping it much the same as it’s always been. The only thing I’ve done is add lights to the exterior of the building for my protection when I’m there alone.” I didn’t see a need to tell her about the cameras, she wouldn’t understand. She was from a different generation. “Oh, and yesterday I stayed with tradition and provided the pies for the community Thanksgiving dinner. You’ve trained Mason well because he had the pies all ordered and ready for me to bake before I even knew I would have to,” I said, laughing. “Mrs. Violet gushed and gushed about your homemade pumpkin pie. When Mason told me what you do every year I gave you a mental high five. It was still a crazy amount of work for one person, but I got it done. The whole time I was baking I pondered why you never asked me to help you with them. I would have gladly helped. It makes me feel terrible for sitting around at Shep’s mom’s house eating turkey while you were slaving over the pies. I probably need to work harder at noticing what’s going on around me.”

I hung my head and sat quietly for a few minutes, unsure what else to say. I never realized how hard it was to carry on a one-sided conversation before.

“Anyway, everyone at the diner sends their best wishes. They’re working hard to keep the place going, but it’s difficult without you there. You were always the face of the Nightingale Diner for as long as any of us can remember. Oh, I didn’t tell you!” I exclaimed quietly. “I finished my classes and after three long years, I have my business degree! I will do you proud when it comes to taking care of, and running, the diner, I promise. And don’t worry, I know the clauses for the Nightingale contract, and Lance is already drawing up the will for me should something happen imminently. I would leave the diner to Mason if that were the case. He’s a single guy and good at what he does. Hopefully, I’m here to take care of your legacy for years to come, though. Maybe one day I’ll have a child who wants to take over the diner when I’m ready to retire.” I was droning on with no indication from her she could hear or understand me. I should probably wrap it up and leave before Polly kicks me out. “One last thing. You remember my best friend, Shep. He interviewed for the public works director position for the city. He hasn’t heard yet if he got the job, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Anyway, I should be heading back to the diner, but I wanted to update you on the situation there. I’ll be back Sunday, after the Winter Carnival. Mayor Tottle stopped in today and told me I’d be helping to light the tree tomorrow night at the ceremony. I’m flattered and will represent the diner the way you would have, with grace and humility.”

I laid her hand back under the covers and patted the bed a couple times. I didn’t know what else to say. The whole conversation made me feel like an opportunist, even though I’m not.

“I’ll let you rest, Lucille,” I whispered as I stood. “I’ll be seeing you.”

Her eyelids fluttered and I paused, unsure if I should call for a nurse. After a few seconds the left one opened, but the right stayed closed save for a slit. “Goo gul,” she forced from lips refusing to cooperate.

I leaned down by her and listened as she said it again. I forced my mind to play word games and I finally got it. “Good girl,” I said and she blinked her eye once. “Thank you for the chance, Lucille,” I said sincerely, resting my hand on her shoulder.

“Don be ike me,” she gasped out as I strained to hear and understand her. “Ind uv.”

I grasped her shoulder. “I won’t give up on finding love, I promise,” I whispered. “Thank you for everything. I’ll be back on Sunday to tell you about the Winter Carnival. Rest now,” I said, rubbing her shoulder until her eyes went closed and she was out again.

I turned away from the bed, my eyes wet with unshed tears as I made for the door, which was swimming in my line of vision. “I’ve already found love, Lucille, but it’s a love I can never have.”