“But you don’t even know me,” I say as I allow myself to be swept up in the moment.
“Amore, if Maria trusts you, then so do I.And knowing that someone good and sweet—who loves the bakery just as much as I do—is filling in for me would be a great relief.I will know my Heaven is in good hands.”
Excitement bubbles up inside me and I swallow hard to contain it.“Well, if you mean it...”I venture, grinning as if all my Christmases have come at once.
“I mean it,amore!This is good news for me, truly.”
Bones grins from ear to ear, her deep plum lipstick the perfect complement to her Latin American skin tone.“Serendipity,” she says, embracingNonnawhen I step back.
“I’ll message you tomorrow, Maria,” Sandra tells her as she pats her back affectionately.
“That would be great,Nonna,” Bones says.
“Thank you so much,Nonna,” I add.“I don’t know what to say.”And for the first time in a long time, it’s true.I’m a regular Chatty Kathy normally, but the kindness I’ve been shown today piles up until something gives and my eyes prickle with hot tears.I try to will them back in, but they fall and I laugh awkwardly, feeling overly emotional.I’m like a lightning rod for good fortune today!The darkness that has haunted me all my life and felt so deeply comfortable slithers back in warning, but I force myself to smile through the tears.“Sorry, do you have a tissue?”I ask with a sniffle.
Ten minutes later we’re leavingSugar & Spicewith a full takeout box of our favorite treats—on the house.My whole body vibrates with glee, and my heart overflows with hope.“I can’t believe I’ve got a job, a place to stay, and have also been fucked by the hottest babe in town ...and all in one day!”I say, unable to wipe the smile from my face.“It’s almost too good to be true.I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster with no brake!”
“I thought we weren’t putting labels on things?”says Bones as we head down toward the beach together.The white, sandy shore glitters with seafoam and sea spray, and the air is heavy with the invigorating scent of salt.
“I’m not,” I answer, twirling on the spot before falling back in step beside Maria once more.“What I meant to say was...I’ve had an amazing time with you, Bones.And I’m justreallyexcited to see how life unfolds from here.”
Bones reaches for my hand, her fingers interlocking with mine, our delicious pre-meal desserts cradled safely in the crook of her other arm.“Me too, sunshine.Me too.”
Chapter Twelve
Bones
“Can we walk the pier?”Sunny asks, pointing ahead, her big, cherry-red-framed sunglasses reflecting the ocean as we walk.
The Jacksonville Beach Pier stretches out before us into the sapphire blue depths of the Atlantic.At just the right angle, when the light hits it just so, it looks like a sparkling pathway into eternity—a beam of light that beckons you to surrender to the beauty of forever.It’s popular with locals and tourists alike.“Sure, we can,” I answer.“You’ll love it.”
Sunny dances out and stops at the Visitors Center window.“Two, today, please,” she says, reaching into her bag and rummaging around for her purse.
The lady at the kiosk looks up and spots me approaching.“Bones!”she calls out with a familiar smile.“Oh, you’re together?”She looks back to Sunny.“Oh, no charge, lovely.Enjoy your walk!”
My blonde angel looks momentarily confused, but when she sees me tip my chin, she grins.“Oh, thank you.”