“Ashley. I’m here as a customer, not a physician. I’m also here hoping we can take a moment to sit and discuss the Women’s Wellness Fair that I’m putting on later this summer. I spoke to Jack this morning about combining our events and wanted to talk to you a little more. Do you have time?”
Emma looked around the café. Everyone was seated and seemingly content, and there wasn’t a line of customers needing attention. Emma gestured behind her. “Sure. Let me see if Nina can cover the counter.” Emma headed back to the break area and gave Nina a sheepish smile. “Can you cover the counter? Ashley Rivers is here and wants to discuss the event.”
Nina pushed back from the table. “Of course.”
“I’ll make sure you get a break just as soon as I can.”
Nina waved that idea off. “It’s fine. Really. If I break for too long, I’m likely to fall asleep. I’ve stayed up reading way too much lately.”
“Thank you. I’ll just make a couple coffees for myself and Ashley and go grab a table,” Emma said.
Nina tsked. “Nonsense. I’ll get your drinks. You go sit and start talking. I can’t wait to hear what you guys discuss.”
“Thanks.” Emma felt a flutter of nerves as she headed back toward Ashley.
“I saw that you have tables outside now,” Ashley said. “Do you mind if we sit out there? I need a little sunshine and vitamin D.”
“Perfect.” Emma grabbed a notebook and pen off the counter and followed Ashley outside. They sat next to each other at one of the new tables that Emma had put out to appease her first bad reviewer. It offered the perfect mix of shade and sunshine and a nice view of Main Street.
“I have to say, I was surprised when Jack contacted me about your event. But I love the idea of doing a 5K in honor of your mom.” Ashley pulled her sunglasses down off the top of her head and placed them over her eyes. Emma wished she’d brought her glasses out as well. The eyes were the window to the soul, and she didn’t want Ashley getting too good a look at hers. Emma still felt guilty about canceling her appointment at the clinic.
Nina came outside holding two cups of coffee. “Here you are.” She laid down two croissants as well. “You didn’t ask for food, but these are on the house. I know the owner and I’m sure she’d approve.” Nina winked at Emma and then turned to head back inside.
Ashley reached for her cup of coffee. “So what made you decide to do something for your mom after all this time?”
“Well, I was given a box of her things earlier this week. It was kind of a birthday present.”
“Oh, happy belated birthday,” Ashley said.
Emma nodded. “Thanks. In the box was a list of things my mom wanted to do before she died. Kind of a bucket list. One of those things was to organize a 5K. I thought I’d plan it for her. In her honor.”
Ashley smiled. “Wow. I love that. You and your mom must have been close.”
“We were. But lately, I feel like I’m slowly forgetting her,” she confessed, not meeting Ashley’s gaze.
“That’s normal. My dad died when I was young.”
Emma looked up. “I had no idea. I’m sorry to hear that.”
Ashley shrugged. “I’ve had moments where I felt like I was forgetting him too. His voice, the way he smelled. Those memories slowly fade without you even realizing it. Then when you reach for them, they can feel so distant. It can be pretty disheartening.”
“What do you do?” Emma asked, interested to hear that someone else was experiencing the same emotions she was.
Ashley’s gaze moved to the people walking up and down Main Street. “I visit his gravesite for one. Somehow, I feel closer to him there. I know that’s not true for everyone.” She looked at Emma again. “I do some of the things we did together when I was growing up, like going to the movies. That was one of his favorite things to do. We’d grab a popcorn and take the back row. It never mattered what show was playing. We just enjoyed sitting there and getting lost in the magic.” Ashley smiled easily. “That’s what he’d call it, at least. I find that it’s the little things that bring him back when I need him most.”
“That’s nice.” Emma swallowed. “Mom and I loved to go shopping