“I see, well, they haven’t moved the sections around since...mmm,” she took a sip of her mocha latte, “oh yeah, since they opened about 10 years ago.”
“Hmmm, well, I guess I forgot where the Western section is.” Riggin put the books in his hand behind his back.
Sofey couldn’t help but smile a little, quickly hiding it with another sip of coffee. “So, I know, stupid question, but why do you like to read? I mean I know why I like to read, but why do you?”
Riggin leaned back against the chair and took a deep breath, “Well, I don’t know. I mean, I really like reading because I feel like I can escape when I read, you know?”
Sofey curled her legs under her, “Yeah, I do know. I feel like that too. When you get a really good book, that you get into, it’s like you’re in a totally different world.”
“Exactly! Yes!”
Sofey smiled at Riggin. There can’t be more to this self-centered TV guy, can there? “I always read in bed and my cat hates it when I’m not giving him my full attention.”
“Are you kidding me right now? My Pappy’s cat, Chester, does that when I’m reading in my recliner. But I always thought it was because he misses Pappy.”
“It’s probably because he misses your Pappy and because he loves you.”
Riggin smiled and looked away from Sofey’s captivating big brown eyes. “So, tell me something about you.”
Sofey blushed, “I’m pretty boring. I mean, I work, read, sleep, repeat.”
“OK, where do you work?”
“I work at a food delivery place called Cordon Bleu, and I love it. I’m a driver and I get to visit with the elderly. Some of them don’t talk to anyone but me. I love their stories.”
“That sounds like a great job. I bet they have some really interesting stories.”
“Yeah,” Sofey laughed, “they really do.” She sipped her coffee, “What about you? What do you do?”
Riggin straightened his ball cap on his head, “I’m just a lineman. Nothing exciting.” He grinned at her.
“I bet that’s really exciting. And probably pretty dangerous too, huh?”
Riggin shrugged, “It can be I guess. So, come on. There’s something you like to do. Tell me what you love to do the most. I mean, besides work, read, and sleep.”
“Uh...no, there’s not really anything.”
“Come on, Sofey. I told you why I like to read. You obviously know I like romance books. Embarrassing. So, just tell me something about you.”
“OK, OK, I mean, it’s stupid because I’ve never finished, but...I like to write.” Sofey slowly confessed.
“You do?” Riggin was impressed. “I bet you write really well. Oh, and how did you like the book signing at Chateau Ridge?”
Sofey blushed and looked at her phone to check the time. “I really liked it. I’m wanting to learn more about self-publishing, so Ford’s a good person to know.”
Riggin nodded, “Yeah, he is a great person to know in that regard. I mean, I don’t know the man personally but I’m sure since he’s related to June, he’s a good guy.” Riggin paused, “Barney and my Pappy were close friends and did some stuff with Chateau Ridge, so I’m pretty partial to the place.”
“Oh my gosh, that is such a great place to eat. I’d never been there until that day we saw you there.” Sofey checked her phone again, “Um, the event is almost over and you haven’t gotten your book signed! I’m sorry for holding you up.” Sofey stood up and gathered up her books. “Thanks for a nice evening.”
Riggin stood up, “Wait, can I walk you out? I would really feel better if I walk you out, it’s dark.”
Sofey looked at the ground, contemplating his offer. “Well, I’m just out front, so I’m sure I’ll be OK. But thank you.” Maybe he really isn’t a jerk.
“OK. Well, hey, thanks for the note you left in my jacket. I can’t believe I forgot to mention that!”
“Oh my gosh! No, thank you for lending me your jacket. Anyway, I better go. Say hi to Rita.” Sofey walked through the crowd and out to her car without noticing Riggin watching to make sure she arrived at her car safely.
Chapter 8
“So, you ran into Riggin Williams at Folded Corners? Are you kidding?” Linda had taken her headphones off so she could hear all about the local celebrity. “What happened? Did he talk to you?”
“Yeah, we talked for a minute about cats and books.” Sofey rolled her eyes remembering how he was staring at her pointy nose, but she smiled when she thought about their conversation. Maybe he wasn’t staring at my nose... She leaned against the counter waiting for Linda to get done filling the trays.
“I think that’s romantic! I’d love it if Beau knew anything about books.” Linda giggled and scraped the bowl of potatoes. “How does he know so much about books?”
Sofey picked up a celery stick from one of the trays and chewed on it. “He’s some kind of book snob.” She winked at Linda. “Oh, and we talked about Chateau Ridge. He said his grandpa had something to do with it.”
Linda almost dropped her tray of veggies. “No way! Are you serious? That castle looking place? I’ve only seen it in pictures. Beau won’t take me there because he doesn’t want to look like some kind of lowlife compared to the people who regularly go there, ya know?”
Sofey nodded, she did know. “It is a really fancy place.” She hesitated, she didn’t want to sound like a braggart. “June took me there for my birthday last weekend,” she said softly.
“Whhaaattt? That is awesome! I’m so jealous!” Linda wiped her hands on her apron and sat down on a stool. “Tell me about it! Please! I want to live vicariously through you…” she smiled and added puppy dog eyes.
Sofey chuckled, “Well, it was gorgeous. Just like a castle, like you said. It even has doormen!”
Linda was wide eyed, she’d never heard of such a thing. “Wow, that’s it, I'm getting Beau some new duds and he’s taking me there for a date.”
Sophey told her about the tasting room, exquisite food, and meeting Riggin there. “But that wasn’t the first time I met him; I went with June to his grandpa’s funeral a couple weeks ago. He wasn’t very social at all there. But I guess I can see why.” Sofey traced the tile with her foot, not wanting to disclose the part of the funeral where she embarrassed herself in front of the local celebrity and his new wife.
“From what you’ve said about him, he seems kind of interesting.” Linda started putting lids on the trays so Sofey could load them in the car.
Sofey shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess. I mean, on the show he seems like an egotistical snob. I mean, he let the door shut on that poor girl's face in one episode! Plus, he totally ignored her all the time.”
Linda shook her head, “From what you told me, I just don’t see it.” She put the lid on the last tray and handed it to Sofey. “You haven’t convinced me. And, if you want the truth…”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Linda.”
“You’re trying to convince yourself he’s a jerk.” With that Linda put her headphones on and danced away to clean up the empty mashed potato bowls and meat loaf pans.
Heading out for her deliveries, Sofey turned the radio up and belted out the words to the 80’s song that was blaring from the speakers.
All her customers that day wanted to talk. Each and every one of them acted like they hadn’t spoken to another human in a week and they had very important news to tell someone, anyone, and Sofey was the lucky winner.
Marybeth talked about Portland and how she hated the weather there, but she needed to go see her grandkids and iron their clothes because Susan, their mother, couldn’t iron to save her life.
Polly talked about George, her husband who was in the other room with his hearing aids in his pockets, and how he was so inconsiderate that he never, ever, ever took out the garbage. In all their 65 years together, she was always the one to do it, even when it was full and heavy. She didn’t know why she had stayed with him so long.
Harley talked abou
t his barber who couldn’t cut his hair correctly if someone was holding his hand. He cut too much on top and left it too long in the back. And he didn’t trust the guy to give him a shave, why he’d bleed out before he left the damn place. It wasn’t like the old days, that’s for sure.
Joe talked about Edith. He loved how she listened so intently to him talk. He loved how she dyed her hair that new silvery color and not that fakey red color that so many other ladies liked. He talked about how he was so glad him and Edith were friends now because he had had a lonely life taken over by too much travel, and he had never stopped to find “the one” to spend his life with.
On her way out to her car he had followed her and talked about how Edith was a gift from God. “Sofey, don’t get old alone. Someone out there was made just for you.” Sofey had let out a soft grunt when he said that. Joe smoothed his thinning hair to the left on his balding head, smiled, and said, “It’s true young lady. There is a man out there for you, you’ll see.” He patted her on the shoulder and said, “And when you find him, you bring him here to see me and bring a yellow rose. That’ll be our sign to each other that he’s the one.” Joe winked at her and headed back to his house with a wave.
Pulling into Edith’s driveway, Sofey smiled to herself. She couldn’t wait to tell Edith all about what Joe had said. Wait, is that wrong? Is there like some client confidentiality that I need to protect? It would be better to come from Joe anyway. Plus, they aren’t teenagers, they’re grown adults. They’ve probably already confessed their undying love to each other. Joe probably bought-
“Hello! Hello!”
Sofey jumped in her seat and grabbed the wheel. Why do these old women like to scare me half to death when I’m just sitting in my car, minding my own business? Edith was standing there tapping on her window with a wooden cane Sofey had never seen before. It was beautiful. It looked like oak, from what Sofey knew of wood, which wasn’t much. It was shiny and had intricate carvings from the handle to the base.
“Sorry, Edith.” Sofey said as she opened her door. I was just thinking about which meals you get this week so I could tell you without opening them.” Sofey was a terrible liar.
“I’m sure you were. Are you getting out or what?”
Sofey tried to open the door wider so she could get out, but it bumped Edith’s cane. Sofey rolled her eyes and said, “Edith, can you please move back just a bit? I’m knocking into your cane.”
“Excuse me, young lady, this here is a ‘walking stick’, not a cane. And you’d better be very careful not to hurt it!” Edith backed away and grinned, “Joe gave it to me.”
“Oh, did he?” Sofey got out of the car and looked the walking stick over. “It’s very nice. Where did he get it?”
Edith put her hand (with newly painted nails) to her chest and gasped, “Why, he didn’t ‘get it’ anywhere!” She picked up the walking stick, her hand tracing the carvings. “He made this. And he did it all by hand.”
“Really? Wow, that’s very nice. I had no idea Joe had such a talent.”
Ednith snorted and huffed, “Well, old people can be talented too, you know.”
“No, I didn’t mean…”
Edith had already turned to walk to the house. Sofey could see Skipper jumping up, almost touching the screen door handle, excited Edith wasn’t leaving without him. Sofey sighed, grabbed Edith’s trays, and followed.
She made her way to the kitchen and started putting the containers of food in the refrigerator while Edith sat at the kitchen table admiring Joe’s handy work on the walking stick he had given her.
“So, I talked with Joe earlier today. He seems…”
“You did?” Edith perked up, her face visibly blushing a soft pink. “Well, come on, what did he say? Did he mention me?” She cleared her throat, “I mean, we’re just friends but I’m concerned about if he’s doing alright?”
Sofey turned so Edith couldn’t see her face and smiled, so Edith doesn’t know how much Joe thinks of her. Crazy kids, and they tell me to be more available.
Edith was Sofey’s last stop for the day, so after assuring her that Joe had just said that he enjoyed Edith’s company she headed back to work to drop off the empty containers and grab her check. And since it was a Friday, Beau and Linda had left early so she didn’t have to worry about them telling her how she needed to get out on the weekend. The place was empty and she was the last driver back, as usual. The part-time weekend crew wouldn’t show up until Saturday night to clean, and on Sunday they would start cooking for Monday’s deliveries. That crew was mostly young college kids who just needed some spending money, but they did a great job and the full-time crew was happy to have them.
Sofey stopped at Marty’s on her way home to grab some pizza, ice cream, and carrots. She had to stand in line for 10 minutes for three items, making the magazine rack look enticing. She caught sight of Rumors, that ‘smut magazine’ Juney liked to read. There on the front cover was Riggin, with a nasty smirk across his face and Rita behind him, crying into her hands. Sofey fought back the urge to pick up the flimsy magazine but read the title against her will, “Friggin Riggin Makes Girls Cry!” She rolled her eyes and looked away. See! He’s probably a total jerk. Sofey shifted her weight on her feet. What is taking so long? Can’t they open another register, geez? She looked again at the cover and berated herself for taking another look. I look like one of those stupid fan girls who giggle over him just because he’s famous! The line still hadn’t moved. She grabbed the smut magazine and turned it around so she couldn’t see the famous couple. Seems strange they would put all that bad stuff in that stupid magazine when they’re married. Sofey looked over the people ahead of her, four more customers then it would finally be her turn.
“OMG!” The woman in front of Sofey was yelling in her phone, “I just saw Rita! You know, Riggin and Rita! I just saw Rita walk in but it didn’t look like she was with that jerk, Riggin. I hope they split, she deserves so much better.”
Sofey stood on her tiptoes trying to catch a glimpse of Rita. But all she could see was a couple little kids opening candy bars and shoving them in each other’s mouths. I don’t think Riggin is that bad. And this woman hopes they split...wait, I bet that’s why the media is making him look so bad. The show probably doesn’t want to pay out a million dollars.
On her way home she contemplated the movie she and Rob Roy would be watching that night. Murder? Romance? Adventure? Maybe I’ll just flip through reading the descriptions for four hours and fall asleep right as I finally find one. For an instant she thought about inviting June, but she remembered that June was gone for the week visiting her five grandkids in Idaho. Both of her kids, Tessa and Cole, had joined different branches of the armed forces, had seen the world, and gotten out. Since then, both found spouses and settled their families in the Boise area. June didn’t like that they lived in another state, but the drive from Western Washington wasn’t too bad, usually eight to nine hours, depending on how many times she stopped to eat. “One day you’ll meet the rugrats.” June would say whenever she talked about grandkids. But the ‘rugrats’ were all in their 20’s. June was always talking about good-looking Ford, her oldest grandson, the one Sofey finally got to meet. He was about the same age as Sofey, and, conveniently enough, was also single.
“Well, Rob Roy,” Sofey grabbed the black and white, hefty bobtail cat from the foot of her bed and put him to her face to snuggle him. “It’s just you and me. I figured we’d flip through, reading the description of different movies until we either find one or fall asleep. What do ya think?” She took a big bite of cheese pizza before Rob Roy could answer and propped up her pillows so she could sit up in bed. She flipped through until she came across a romantic comedy. “This looks good. Let’s try it.”
Rob Roy yawned as he stretched his legs and kneaded the air.
When Sofey finished her pizza she grabbed the mini cup of chocolate, peanut butter ice cream from her nightstand and scooped out a big spoonful. Watching as the two men
on the TV competed for the poor girl’s love, she remembered her third crush, the most horrendous and damaging of all.
Sofey had met Matt at the bookstore. They had both liked to read adventure books and they ended up being there regularly at the same time. After running into each other for a couple weeks, Matt suggested they meet on a regular basis, at the bookstore. Sofey eagerly agreed and they settled on meeting Tuesday and Thursday evenings, even though Sofey wanted it to be more. They drank coffee and read about the exciting adventures that took place in a dangerous jungle or a seedy, violent city while they snuggled on the red chaise lounge in Folded Corners. Matt would sometimes hold her close and read to her for a couple hours while they sipped coffee.
“Hey,” Sofey smiled and walked over to the red chaise lounge where Matt sat holding her favorite book, The Count of Monte Cristo, watching her. Sofey kicked off her shoes and curled them underneath her. Touching Matt’s leg with her hand, she blushed, she had never felt that comfortable with anyone before. “I was thinking, maybe we should meet more often? Maybe we could add some days? Go do different things?” She smiled at him and felt her face get warmer.
Matt also blushed, but he frowned. He squirmed away from her a little and put the book he was reading down on the table. He cleared his throat and said, “Sofe, I think you’re great. I really do. And I love hanging out with you.” He pushed a strand of hair off of her face and put it behind her ear. “I don’t want to stop seeing you, but I can’t meet any other days right now.”
Sofey had accepted this and chalked it up to him just being too busy. He was a very successful architect after all. Besides, on days they didn’t meet, he would call, email, or text her. He had asked her to send him pictures of her at work and in her jammies and even of Rob Roy, so she felt like he was into her and that she could wait until he was ready to go to the next step. Plus, he was so gentlemanly that he only ever kissed her on the cheek when their date started and then again when he left.
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