Cup of Joe

by Teri Wilson

  If Law & Order was already on, that meant it was past time for the beginning of Care Group. How had she zoned out on the sofa for an entire day? Goldie readily admitted to watching too much television, but this was excessive, even for her. Where had the time gone? And what was that bizarre daydream all about?

  Goldie shook her head in an effort to clear the cobwebs and snap herself into the present. Obviously, the daydream was about yesterday and her walk with Joe. It was about dog training class and their non-date.

  She was suddenly very glad it was Care Group night. Maybe it was time to start talking to God again. Clearly, she was making a mess of things trying to handle them on her own. She glanced at herself in the mirror hanging above the dresser in her pink bedroom.

  “Ugh,” Goldie groaned at her reflection. “Still in your pajamas. How pathetic is that?”

  Bliss pranced in circles around Goldie’s feet, her paws making little pitter-patter noises on the hard wood floor.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not leaving you behind.” Goldie picked her up and set her in the new dog carrier she’d picked up yesterday before her fateful trip to Joe’s Coffee Shop. It looked like a handbag, so her older friends probably wouldn’t ever know a dog was hidden inside. But it made Goldie feel good to know Bliss was near.

  “You don’t even care if I’m still in my pajamas, do you?”

  Bliss cocked her head and pawed at the air. Goldie laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

  The spaniel snuggled into the soft, faux lambskin lining and Goldie slid her arm through the leather handles. She took a peek in the mirror again.

  It was quite a fashion statement. A plush, amethyst velvet “handbag” paired with Sponge Bob pajamas and pink slippers. But she was already late and she was only going next door. Besides, the members of Care Group were her friends. They wouldn’t care if she sneaked next door in her p.j.’s. Hadn’t Peggy herself worn pajamas to Care Group one night right after her gall bladder surgery?

  No biggie.

  “Let’s go,” Goldie whispered into the pet carrier as she closed the front door behind her.

  She nearly tripped on the large paper cup sitting squarely in the middle of the top step on her porch.

  Joe’s Coffee Shop, Turtle Beach, North Carolina the lid of the paper cup screamed at her. Goldie nudged it out of the way with her fuzz-clad foot and marched to Peggy’s house.

  When she reached Peggy’s front door, Goldie debated whether she should ring the bell or just try to sneak inside. She hated the thought of disrupting prayer requests, if they were still in progress. At the same time, she also hated to barge right in. She might frighten someone, and since giving one of the other members of the group a heart attack seemed like a very real possibility, she decided to knock softly instead.

  After a shuffling noise on the other side of the door, it swung open and Goldie found herself face-to-face with her dear friend.

  “Hi, Peggy. Sorry I’m late.” Goldie made a move toward the threshold.

  Peggy shifted so that she blocked Goldie from entering the house. She shut the door behind her until only a sliver of light poured out from inside. “Um, hello dear. What a surprise.”

  “Surprise? What do you mean? It’s Thursday, right? Care Group night?” Goldie may have lost track of the time, but she was pretty sure she still knew what day it was. She struggled to get a peek inside. Sure enough, she spied George Brown sitting in his usual spot. He gave her a sheepish grin and a tiny wave.

  “Yes, that’s right.” Peggy shifted her weight from one foot to the other and planted herself more firmly in front of the entrance. “We just weren’t expecting you. That’s all.”

  What was Peggy’s problem? She was acting awfully strange. If Goldie didn’t know better, she would think she was still stuck in that crazy daydream. “I know I’m late. I’m sorry. But I’m here now.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be.” Peggy’s gaze swept the length of her pajama bottoms and lingered on her slippers. Unlike Joe, Peggy wasn’t smiling at the slippers.

  Goldie felt the blood begin to drain slowly from her face. “Uh, I-I’m sorry about the way I’m dressed. It’s just been one of those days, and I didn’t want to be any later than I already was. So, can I please come in now?”

  Peggy folded her arms across her chest. “I’m afraid not.”

  What? When had Peggy changed from her sweet neighbor into a bouncer for Bible Study?

  Goldie stared at her and waited for her to come to her senses. Or at least move out of the way.

  But she didn’t budge. “As you know, Care Group is a gathering for senior adults. And you are a young woman, Goldie. We loved having you here with your Grandpa. But he’s gone now. Don’t you think it’s time for you to fellowship with a group of believers your own age?”

  Goldie held the velvet dog carrier closer to her chest, close enough to feel the warm lump of spaniel nestled inside. “Are you serious? Are you actually telling me I can’t come to Care Group any more?”

  Peggy patted her shoulder and offered a serene smile. You would never know by looking at her that she was the type of person capable of kicking someone out of Bible Study. “We just think it would be best, dear. You need to…um, how should I put it? Get a life.”

  Goldie stiffened beneath the touch of Peggy’s fingers. Get a life? Get a life! She opened her mouth to object, to tell her that she had a life, thank you very much. Sure, she didn’t have a job. But she would get one. Maybe she would even tell her how close she’d come to having an actual date. But instead of saying anything, she stood there on the porch, slack-jawed, remembering that she was still in her pajamas. It was difficult to retain any kind of dignity when she was dressed like a five-year old.

  And then there was the matter of Bliss, who chose this precise moment to let out a pitiful whine.

  Peggy lifted a brow at the velvet pet carrier. “Is your dog in your purse?”

  “It’s a pet carrier, not a purse,” Goldie retorted. She tried to forget how she was dressed, pushed her shoulders back and stood a little straighter. “And yes, Bliss is inside. I didn’t want her to get lonely.”

  “Is she really the one who’s lonely?”

  Goldie blinked furiously to keep the tears at bay. The last thing she wanted to do was cry and make her humiliation all the more complete. “Look, forget about the dog. If you think I’m so lonely, why are you kicking me out of Care Group?”

  “Oh, Goldie. Don’t think of it as being ‘kicked out.’ Think of it rather as being pushed out of the nest. Like a sweet baby bird. We love you and want what’s best for you.”

  That was it. Goldie needed to get out of here. Now. She shot the meanest look she could muster at George Brown through the crack in the door then tried her best to gather her dignity. “Fine. Have a good evening.”

  Then she spun on her heel and sauntered back home, praying Peggy wouldn’t notice the telltale shake of her shoulders as the tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

  ef

  “No. Way.” Eve punctuated the two words on the other end of the phone for added emphasis.

  Goldie laughed. A little. As much as she could manage a mere twenty-four hours after the incident. “Really. I’m officially no longer welcome at Care Group.”

  “How did the others react when she told you to leave?”

  “She wouldn’t even let me in the door. I never saw anyone else.” Goldie shuddered as she remembered craning her neck to see inside Peggy’s living room. “Well, I guess I did get a glimpse of your boyfriend. You know…George.”

  Eve’s tinkling laughter traveled through the phone line. “I can’t believe he didn’t come to your rescue. Honestly, I may have to break up with him.”

  Despite the flush of embarrassment that coursed through her every time she thought about trying to force her way into Bible study, Goldie smiled. She always could depend on Eve to take her side and to make her feel better. “I think he might be afraid of Peggy, too.”

  “Of cours
e he is, mon ami. We all are.” Goldie could imagine Eve trembling with mock fear. “He still should have done something. And here I thought he was the perfect gentleman.”

  “I guess your search for a husband must go on.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right.” Eve lowered her voice. “So, in all seriousness, are you OK?”

  “Yeah. I’m OK. Actually,” Goldie paused for dramatic effect. “I have news.”

  “What kind of news?” Eve’s voice bubbled on the other end of the line, but quickly turned skeptical. “By any chance does this have anything to do with that coffee guy?”

  Goldie considered telling her about the dog training class and how it was the very next day. She thought for the briefest of moments of telling her about their walk on the beach, and how the sand had dusted the tips of his chestnut hair, but thought better of it. So, she stuck to her less controversial news. “I have a job now.”

  “Really? Oh, Goldie, I’m thrilled for you. See, this is the beginning of a whole new life.”

  Her reaction brought back the fantastical Name that Price daydream and Goldie suddenly imagined the telephone receiver as a slender microphone. It all came back to her. Cary’s nerdy glasses. The lithe models. The photo of her, wrapped in Joe’s arms.

  The shag carpeting.

  “Helloooo? Goldie? Are you still there?” Eve nearly shouted.

  “I’m here. Sorry. I zoned out for a minute.” She really needed to stop that. It was becoming a dreadful habit.

  “I’m thrilled you found a job. Tell me all about it. Where is it? The mall? A fancy boutique? Oh, I know, a day spa! We can get discount mani's and pedi's!”

  OK, now Eve was the one lost in a dream world. “Actually, no. Even better.”

  “Better than a day spa?” Eve sounded doubtful.

  “Yes.” Goldie paused, letting the news linger on the tip of her tongue. She may as well enjoy the moment. It was so much better than getting kicked out of Bible Study. Get a life? Ha. She’d show them. She’d already gotten a job at a place she adored. Now she could check that off the list. “I’ll give you a hint. Where have I gone every week since I was a little kid?”

  “I’m sticking with the mall.”

  Goldie sighed in exasperation. “We’re talking about me, not you.”

  “I give up. Spill.”

  “The library. My favorite place in Turtle Beach.”

  Besides Joe’s Coffee Shop.

  Goldie rubbed her temples. Good grief. Focus.

  “The library?” Eve spat out the word as if it left a terrible taste on her tongue.

  “Yes, the library. You know how much I love the library. I went this morning to check out some books about dogs and dog training and before I knew what was happening, they offered me a job.” Goldie could scarcely believe her luck. No, not luck. It was a blessing, pure and simple. Maybe she would have to start talking to God again. “Isn’t it perfect?”

  There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. With every quiet, passing moment, Goldie found herself getting more and more irritated. Everyone had been telling her to get a life, and now she finally was. Was she asking too much to get a more supportive reaction?

  At last, Eve said something. “Well, maybe it will do until you find something better.”

  “Better? What do you mean? I think this is perfect. I start on Monday. Mrs. Simpson, the head librarian, is even letting me take charge of the children’s hour. She said I could bring Bliss if I like, and the kids can pet her while I read aloud fun, doggy books to them. I can’t wait.” Goldie had already scanned the shelves, stunned at the sheer amount of canine-themed books for youngsters. There was Clifford the Big Red Dog, Martha Speaks, The Bookshop Dog and countless others she’d never heard of before. After flipping through more than a dozen picture books, she’d picked an adorable story about a mixed breed dog that was “part hound, part fraidy-cat” to read at children’s hour on Monday.

  “Honey, how does Mrs. Simpson know about Bliss? You’ve only had her for a couple of days.” Eve’s question was laced with disbelief.

  “Oh, I had her with me when I went to the library. In her new pet carrier. It’s like a handbag.” What was with all the questions? Goldie was still waiting for Eve to join in her excitement about her new job.

  “No,” Eve moaned. “You did not take that dog with you to the library.”

  “Um, yes I did. It was no big deal. Everyone there loved her.” Mrs. Simpson had fawned all over Bliss, and the Cavalier had wagged her tail until it became nothing but an orange-and-white blur.

  “Goldie, I’m going to say something, and I don’t want you to take it the wrong way because I’m saying it for your own good.” Eve took an audible deep breath which caused Goldie to brace herself for whatever was coming next. She knew without a doubt it couldn’t be good. “If Bliss were a cat, you would be in serious danger of becoming a crazy, old maid cat lady.”

  Goldie paused to wonder if there was possibly a right way to interpret that comment. Ultimately, she decided no. It was an insult, plain and simple. “I’m going to try to forget you just said that.”

  “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. Honestly. But look at the facts—you’re a pretty, young woman, and you’ve spent your whole life around old people. No offense to the big guy.” She took a breath and continued, “But now is your chance to start over. You can do anything. Anything. And you get a job as a librarian and drag your dog around in your purse everywhere you go.”

  “It’s not a purse. It’s a pet carrier.” Goldie was starting to feel like a broken record. And worse, she was getting the urge to climb back into the Sponge Bob pants.

  “Whatever. All I’m saying is if you start wearing your hair in a bun I’m going to schedule an intervention.”

  Despite her disappointment in her friend’s reaction to her big news, Goldie had to suppress a laugh at the bun comment. “No bun. I promise. But could you try to be a little more enthusiastic about my new job? I really am excited about it. Even if you think it’s lame. Look on the bright side—I’ll be spending a lot of time with kids. Technically, they are the complete and total opposite of elderly people. You should be thrilled.”

  Eve giggled. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought about it that way. You do have a point. But no buns!”

  “No buns.”

  “Or orthopedic shoes.”

  Goldie glanced down at her sock feet. At least she wasn’t wearing slippers. That was progress, right? “No orthopedic shoes. I can’t promise high heels, though.”

  “Can you promise me one more thing?” Eve switched her tone and suddenly sounded way more syrupy sweet than bossy.

  The sudden change made Goldie’s head spin. And scared her more than a little bit. “What is it?”

  “I want you to come to church with me on Sunday. Please. You need somewhere new to worship, so why not give it a chance?”

  Ugh. She should have known this was coming. Eve had been hounding her for years to go to church with her on Sunday mornings. Goldie resisted every time. There was nothing wrong with Eve’s church—but she felt beyond awkward walking into a Sunday school class for “young singles.” Yes, she was young. Younger than everyone at her regular Bible Study, at least. And clearly she was single. But did she really need to broadcast it to everyone at church? She’d always used the fact that Care Group was her Christian home as an excuse, but now how could she say no?

  As if sensing her reluctance, Eve continued begging. “Pleeease. Just once. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come back. You are planning on going to church services somewhere, right?”

  “Of course.” Although in all honesty, she hadn’t given it much thought. But, naturally, she had to keep going to worship. She may be giving God the cold shoulder at the moment, but she would never completely turn her back on Him.

  “Then, come with me this Sunday. It will be your second step in getting a life.”

  Third, actually. If dog training class with Joe counted. Which, in Goldie
’s mind, it most certainly did. Even if it wasn’t a date. Somehow, she sensed now was not the time to mention it to Eve, though. “OK. I’ll go.”

  Eve let out a squeal that caused Goldie to hold the phone a full foot away from her ear. Bliss awoke from her nap with a start and pricked her ears at the sound. “Super! Meet me there at 9:30. You know where it is, right?”

  How could she not? It was the most popular Christian singles spot in town. “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  “Great!” Eve gushed.

  Goldie couldn’t help but wish Eve had had the same reaction to the news about her new job at the library.

  Then, as if her friend could read her mind, she continued, “And Goldie, I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive about the library thing. You’ll be really good at it, and if it makes you happy that’s all that matters. We all love you Goldie, and we simply want what’s best for you.”