Chapter 2

“Hey, Mrs. Blair,” Greg yells as he jogs across the street to meet up with me. How many times have I told this guy that he can call me Fiona? “I’m sorry that I didn’t call you.”

“That’s ok. You look like you are on the way to the shop. What’s up?”

“Exactly. As you know, I have been thinking about looking into a different line of work. I got a call this morning just as I was headed out the door, so I called into work, got changed and I have just been walking, doing my best to clear my head and get ready for the interview. Then I realized that I didn’t even give you a heads up, then I figured that you had left and, wait a minute, are you usually back this early?”

“No. I didn’t drive in today.”

“Are you ok?” Greg asked with a genuine concerned look on his face.

“I’m fine,” I chuckled, “Dagney went to her parents. Jon and David had a water main break in their building and decided to stay home and hang out together. So, I didn’t drive. Do you need a ride to your interview?”

“No thanks Mrs. B. I was hoping that I would be able to talk to Mr. Blair before I go on the interview, is he in the shop?”

“He sure is and I believe he will be happy to see you.”

Greg holds open the door for me. He is always a gentleman. He is just a few years older than Bess. No wonder he insists on calling me Mrs. Blair. I still with rather be Fiona to everyone. In the mirror, I think who is that older gray haired lady looking back at me, I feel at least 20 years younger than I look. That is definitely a reason for rejoicing. That causes me to start humming a little ditty as we walk into the shop.

“Ah, Fiona you found the mystery man.”

“I wasn’t exactly looking for him. We met up while I was on my way back.”

“Good morning Mr. Blair.”

“Good morning Gregory. How are you today my boy?”

“Just fine sir.” Greg says with an ear to ear grin. It always seems to tickle Greg that Ian consider him to be a “boy” while he twenty-eight years young, has a deeper voice than his and stands almost head and shoulders above my Ian. “and you?”

“It is great to be alive. I’ve got a beautiful bride, a cozy shop, a working furnace, a place to rest my head. Listen to me…” Ian says as he rolls his eyes at himself.

“Mr. Blair, I was listening.”

Ian and I burst out laughing as do a few of the regulars.

“No, really, I love to listen to you especially when you go on with all the things you are thankful for. I believe if you let yourself you could go on for the next hour or for the rest of the day. You could probably just go on and on about Mrs. Blair all day and never get to anything else on your list. I know by the way you look at her and you have been married ….”

“All of my adult life.” I butt in.

“yeah, almost 30 years. You’re still starry eyed. (Ian looks at me with those coffee brown eyes, yes indeed, and now a tear escapes from mine as Greg continues.) So many people in this country are not rolling with the punches like you are, since our society has been stood up on its rare bumper so to speak. I have hope because of your acceptance and your ability to see what is really important. That is why I came to see you. Could we talk, privately?”

“Absolutely, Murdoch and Phoebe are here.” Turning to me, Ian says, “and you my little lady have the day off. What are you going to do?”

“I’ll be upstairs for now my love. See for lunch. Greg, can you join us?”

“I would like that. My interview isn’t until two this afternoon.”

“Great.”

Ian actually has set up several secluded area in the shop, so that people can chat in a casual yet intimate setting. He and Greg pick the one near the front window that faces Canal Street. The seat on the left is the one I love to sit on and watch the snow fall. It’s overstuffed and you can put your feet up on the built-in bench if you are by yourself. I’m looking forward to the snow, not the shoveling mind you, just that blanket of white that makes everything appear to be fresh and pure. When the sky opens up and pours out the flakes it is easy to drift away and just observe nature taking its course, in New England anyway. The Lord putting our world to bed, yet our world never seems to want to sleep peacefully. Perhaps now a few more people will be grateful that they do not have a vehicle to dig out. Fortunately, we have a garage spot and Murdoch takes care of the sidewalk out front here.

Greg is so hungry for the truth. He admires and respects Ian like a mentor. I suppose that is what Ian has become in his life. These past 5 years we have been given several spiritual children who have filled a whole in Ian’s heart. Not that we haven’t been blessed with our dear little loves but that we never had more. Lord, give Ian continued wisdom to give Greg the counsel that he is seeking right now. It is good to have this place, to be able to provide love, hope, peace and truth to this neighborhood.

Relaxing in our Reality Café has more to offer than books, coffee and conversation; this is a place of refuge. And every time we hear the question, “Are you really relaxing in your reality?” Though our hearts soar, we ask for discernment to speak the truth at the appointed time, not everyone is ready or really wanting the answer. Of course, we do have the crowd that thinks we are a place to come in and smoke marijuana. These are the folks who are usually the most open to discussing the truth and what is really important in life. They laugh when we tell them the hardest drug you will find in this join is caffeine in an espresso bean. So, we usually get a response like, how can you relax if you are souped up on ‘ffeine? It was not our intent to attract this particular population but we are not disappointed with the outcome.

[1] Catherine Mullaney 2005 ©