pleased and Theo’s heart returned to normal functioning.
“I’ve become a regular there,” Theo said. “One of my fondest memories as a young lad dating was splitting a tall chocolate soda.”
“I’m game,” Alice said.
They walked down the sidewalk, past the Moonlake bookstore and its colorful window display of local authors’ books in the window. Lying outside the door, sprawled out in the sun, was the town’s charcoal gray cat with the turquoise eyes. He allowed the locals an occasional pet, but mostly avoided the tourists.
“How are you doing today, Mr. Cat?” Alice asked.
Recognizing a friendly voice, the feline stretched leisurely and then rubbed up against Alice’s leg. Theo watched her charm him into rolling over on his back. Obviously content, the cat’s purr rose another decibel.
“You certainly have a way with animals,” Theo said. “Shelby too. It must run in the family.”
Mr. Cat was used to roaming the town at will and followed them a few blocks until they turned on to Main Street. An oncoming rather large dog heading toward them prompted Mr. Cat to take a detour toward the town museum.
Theo was happy to see there was no line outside Redd’s Ice Cream Parlor. The rising temperature was making him a bit woozy and he longed for a cool place to sit. The comforting smell of waffle cones greeted them as they entered. They sat in one of the old-fashioned booths with comfortable vinyl seating, right under an A/C vent. It was also in a private back corner where they could talk.
“Nice to see you both,” Steph said with a smile. “Menus, or are you ready to order?”
Theo looked over to Alice. “We would like a chocolate soda and two straws,” he said.
Steph grinned. “Just one?”
Alice nodded shyly.
“Whipped cream?” Steph asked.
“Of course,” Theo said. “And a cherry on top.”
“Coming right up.”
A young child ran by with his ice cream cone in hand and toppled to the ground in his haste. The ice cream landed on the floor and the boy began to cry.
“It’s okay,” Steph said. “We’ll just get you another one.”
The boy’s mother gave Steph a grateful smile.
“Steph is such a nice person,” Theo said, “just like her dad.”
Theo watched Alice fidget in her seat. It was not like her and obviously something was bothering her.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” he asked.
"Shelby’s mother, Dana, called yesterday and it was…” Alice hesitated. “I don't know how to say this."
Theo felt his shoulders tightening. Shelby had become like family to him, and she deserved the best.
Alice took a deep breath. "Dana’s boyfriend Gus is buying a house in Florida. They want Shelby to move in with them and will be here to pick her up within two weeks at the most.”
The sound of the milkshake machine whirred in the distance. A line was forming at the counter and orders were being taken. The voices in the room were drowning out their conversation, so Theo leaned forward to be heard. "And how does Shelby feel about that?" he asked.
"Very unhappy,” Alice said.
“Unhappy?” Steph asked. She was standing at their table with an icy chocolate soda, piled high with whipped cream with two straws protruding through. “This will fix anything.” She placed the soda in the middle of the table. “Enjoy.”
“Shall we?” Theo said. Like two high school sweethearts, they sipped their soda. It was heartening to see Alice’s eyes light up as the drink worked its magic.
Alice clanked the spoon against the glass as she stirred the soda water and ice cream mixture. After the last, noisy sip, Alice sat back in the booth. “Thanks,” she said. “Just what I needed.”
“Always a good pick-me-up,” Theo said. She still looked a bit down and maybe he could help. “Do you want to share what else happened?”
“I don’t know what to do. Shelby is very shaken and absolutely does not want to go. I've tried to talk to Dana, but she won’t listen. I feel like it’s my fault.”
“Your fault?” Theo said. “How can that be?”
Alice lowered her gaze and clenched her fists. “I could have done better raising Dana. Remember I told you she was sick growing up? I had her a bit late, at thirty years old. We almost lost our only child to pneumonia before she was two years old. It scared us both. Our life centered around her and she got away with so much. If I had been stronger and set better limits, maybe she would have turned out differently.” She looked up at Theo