Free Tiger Moths by Sandra Grice Page B

take care of.”
    “Someone is having a bad day, huh?” Laura knew exactly what a comment like that meant from Dale. She looked directly at Dale and could see the despair.
    “Hang on; I’m going to call the babysitter right now, because Aunt Dale and Mommy are going to need some bonding time.”
    “What’s bond time, Aunt Dale?” Gracie climbed up into Dale’s lap and directed her emerald green eyes directly at her. It was a serious question.
    “Well, Gracie, it’s just what you and I are doing right now. Spending fun time together, talking and laughing and enjoying each other’s company. You do that with people that you especially like.”
    Gracie squinted her eyes and contemplated Dale’s answer, then chimed, “I don’t think that is gonna work for you and Mommy.”
    “Sweetheart, what on earth do you mean?”
    “Well, Momma is way too big to climb up in your lap like me.”
    Dale and Laura looked at each other and stifled a laugh, and then let it go. They laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks. Dale had desperately needed this.
    “Duly noted, Gracie,” Dale finally said, “and for that observation my girl deserves some M&Ms.”
    “Yea, can I, Momma?”
    Laura eyed Dale and finally said, “Of course you may, honey, but only a few.
    The babysitter is coming to take you out to eat.”
    Dale handed Gracie a handful of candy and took two for herself. “It’s been one of those days; I think I’ll join you, Gracie.”
    Laura cradled the phone and smiled. “All right, little one, let’s go. Dale, I’ll meet you at our usual spot in about an hour. Cool?”
    “Sounds good. God bless you, Laura.”
    An hour later, Dale entered the cafe and walked to the counter. Laura would be there soon and Dale would tell her all about her day, and her plans. Plans she had kept from Laura until now. She knew Laura would try to talk her out of it at first, but in the end Laura only wanted what was best for her. And Dale knew in her heart that she needed to make a major change. Today confirmed that to her.
    “What can I get for you, miss?”
    The waiter startled her. Her bewildered look seemed to baffle him.
    “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    The man was polite and very young looking. Am I getting that old, that fast? Almost thirty, and the early twenties seemed ages ago.
    “No, it’s quite all right. It’s just been a bit of a day, you know? How about a large, iced mocha latte?”
    “Now that’s my specialty. I pour a mean mocha latte with whipped cream. Are you game?”
    “That sounds perfect, thank you.”
    “You bet; be back in a second.”
    She vaguely heard the live music in the background. That was one thing she was really going to miss about Nashville. No matter where one went, night or day, there was always music. It was live and free, because that is where one had to start in the country music capital of the world.
    “Here you go, ma’am; give it a try.”
    “Okay, here goes.”
    Dale slurped through the whipped cream, tasted the rich mocha beverage, and smiled. The kid was not joking; he really did make one of the best she had ever had. She did not really know what made it good. It was just a few ingredients, but it was smooth and cold; and more than anything, she really needed it.
    The waiter smiled too. “So, you like it?”
    “Yes, very much, thank you.”
    “They call me JC. So if you need anything, you just say my name and you’ve got it.”
    “Thank you, JC; I am likely going to take you up on that nice offer.”
    “What do you think of the music?”
    “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
    “Well yes, ma’am, I am. How did you know?”
    “Two ways. First, you are way too polite and enthusiastic. And second, if you knew how many of these guys I’ve heard, you would know they all start to sound the same.” She did not mean for it to come out as negative as it sounded, but the day had been very long.
    “Oh, no, ma’am, I didn’t mean to ask you what