Chapter 127: The Return
Sometimes it was as though the world itself could feel it when you were having a rough time, and it would do little things to try and help you out. Emily had heard of such things happening to other people before.
Stories of people in abusive relationships who after years of enduring abuse had all of a sudden seen something that had reminded them of a loved one, someone who would not have liked to see them being hurt in any way, and just that small thing had been enough for them to gather up the courage to leave their abusive relationship.
Tales of newcomers in business who had been this close to just calling it quits and joining the day-to-day working class, slaving away for somebody else’s dream, but then they suddenly got an idea out of nowhere, and it was all it took to save their business.
For Emily, it was not anything so grand, nor was it for a massive situation like in the examples that she had just thought of. For her the reason for her worry was one Derek Haven. The whole situation with him was just dragging her down and for some reason that night dealing with it all, was just too much for her and she was not feeling very upbeat. The whole thing where she was constantly wondering whether or not he would come or if he would not come was really dragging her down. It was starting to affect even her energy levels and just her general well-being.
She needed something to cheer her up and she needed it fast. But she had no idea what to do to get her mood back up. But it seemed that the universe had noticed her plight, and had just the thing that she needed to bring a little joy into her life.
For the most part, Emily’s regulars did not come in on a daily basis, and even when she did see them more often than not, they were dashing in and out. And in all of her time at the diner they had never all shown up at the same time. But that night, things were different.
The first to show up was Ethan, pushing baby Ella on the stroller in front of him, and picking a table to sit at. He had just gotten Ella settled, on the high chair, and Emily was bringing their usual order when the doorbell jingled. She looked up and it was Marcus.
Unable to stop the smile that spread across her face, Emily waved at him with her free hand, the other one holding the tray that had Ethan’s order.
With Ethan sorted, Emily made her way to Marcus. And just like with Ethan, a few minutes earlier, the very moment that she set his food down the doorbell jingled again. And when she turned, there was Miss Beth. Her laughter, reaching Emily before the older woman did. She was in a bright pink dress, the hem of it shimmering, her huge hoop earrings glinting in the light. "Well, hello there, love," She called, making her way deep into the diner. When she reached Emily, she was not as formal as the others. She did not nod in greeting. Instead, she grabbed Emily and pulled her into a tight hug. Like an auntie that Emily had not seen in a while, who had missed her dearly. It was all Emily could do to stop from returning the hug. Once Miss Beth was settled, her strawberry yogurt and fruit in front of her. Emily made her way to the counter where she usually stood in between orders, but this time her shoulders were not slumped. Instead her back was straight and she was smiling slightly as she wiped the counter. There was just something about having all of her favourite people under the same roof at once that made her feel all warm inside.