“Are you kidding me, mac and cheese is the food of the gods.”

“Did you sleep okay sweetie?”

“Well, considering what went on yesterday, I slept okay. It wasn’t the best sleep ever, but it was alright I suppose. It helped having you there with me. Just knowing that you’re here for me means a lot.” Ashley had tears rimming her eyes and threatening to spill over. She refused to cry though. She hated to cry in front of people. The only people who had ever seen her cry were Sarah, Aiden, and Madison. Although she knew that she could trust Sarah, she still felt like she had cried enough over everything.

“Well, just know that I am always here for you sweetie. I love you dearly.”

“I love you too Sarah.”

“Well, on a lighter note, I was wandering if you could keep me company at the café today. Tuesdays are pretty slow days and I tend to get lonely in there with no one else. What do you say?”

“Well, I guess I could find time for you in my busy schedule. DUH! Sarah, you don’t even have to ask!” With that said, the two women got ready and headed to the café.

Once they had opened up and gotten the usual morning crowd out of the way, they hit the typical mid-morning slump. It was rather boring in the café at the moment for Ashley. Sarah was in her office doing some paperwork and Ashley just sat up front incase any customers came in. While sitting there, examining her cuticles, the bell above the door jingled. Ashley looked up but saw no one at the door. Curious, she walked around the counter on her way to the door to see if anyone on the street had tried to come in. However, when she turned the corner, she found the source of the jingle. A little boy with curly blond hair and piercing blue eyes stood in the middle of the store. This boy didn’t seem to be lost or afraid, but he couldn’t be more than 2 or 3 years old. Brooke leaned down to be leave with the boy so she could talk to him. “Hello honey, what’s your name?”

“My name is Justin Micheal Carlin but you are weally weally pwetty like my mommy, so you can call me Jay. I am free years old. What’s your name?” the little boy asked with a confidant voice. Ashley laughed quietly at the enthusiasm that the little boy possessed. She had defiantly never met a three year old quite like this one.