News Flash by Liz Botts Page B

menu based on local ingredients. We offer two sandwiches and two soups daily, as well as a full service bakery menu. So when someone comes in who can pay full price, we give them the option of paying for a second meal for someone less fortunate. If someone comes in who can’t pay full price or who can’t pay at all, we have a spot on the order ticket for them to circle what they can pay. It’s all very discreet.” Edna paused, and smoothed her apron again. “The bakery items work the same way. We aren’t here to judge people’s food choices, only to fill up their bellies.”
    Edna and I finished our interview, and while Steve and Barry packed up the equipment I laid out twenty dollars for cupcakes to take back to the office with me. I put another ten down on the counter too. “Use it for whoever needs it.”
    Jake would have devoured everything in sight if I had brought him here. He had such a huge sweet tooth it was a running joke between our two families. When we were really little he’d get into the bags of sugar at either house, and eat it by the fistful. Often he ended up vomiting after he snarfed it down, which had always deterred me from joining him in the practice. Just thinking about my best friend made my heart hurt. Our dance earlier had messed with my head, and I still hadn’t had time to sort it all out. Right before we left, I hurried back to the counter and bought Jake a monster garbage cookie. It might not make everything right between us but it would be a good start.
    ****
    Marika was talking to Chloe when I got back. The look on Chloe’s face reminded me of the way I always felt when the internship coordinator cornered me. With a grimace, Chloe nodded and headed back toward the file room. My jaw went slack as I realized she’d been given my old job. I’d never wanted Chloe to get a demotion. She’d been my only friend around the station for months. A bite of guilt pinched my stomach, and I almost turned around.
    Instead I stepped into Marika’s cubicle, and cleared my throat. She glanced at me with one eyebrow raised but didn’t say anything. “So, thanks for sending me to meet Edna Eubanks. She’s an amazing woman.”
    The ghost of a smile flitted across Marika’s face. “I know. She’s my grandmother.”
    â€œShe’s your grandmother? Wow, you must be so proud of her. I can’t believe how much… joie de vivre s he’s got. I mean, she kind of reminds me of my grandma in a lot of ways. I’m just so impressed with the work she’s doing.” I knew I was babbling, but I couldn’t stop myself.
    â€œShe’s an amazing woman, and her business deserves to be highlighted.” Marika paused to glance up at me from her laptop. “Those are the kinds of stories you should be doing.”
    I nodded. “You are absolutely right. There have to be dozens of people just down the street who deserve to be showcased for the work they are doing. Thank you for sending me to Edna. It was perfect.”
    The surprise on Marika’s face couldn’t be masked fast enough. Her eyebrows nearly shot off her forehead. We stood staring at each other for a few moments before Marika regained control of her features, and the mask slammed back down.
    â€œYou should start your editing. Rory will help you out today, but in the future you’ll be expected to do it on your own, so pay attention.” With that Marika dismissed me.
    After Rory showed me how to cut down the raw footage and edit together a cohesive program, he leaned in to kiss me gently on the lips. He tasted faintly of beer again, and I wondered if he’d had one with lunch. It was sort of gross. Still, it was nice to have a boyfriend that wanted to kiss me, and to come to stupid fake proms with me.
    â€œI’ll call you later,” he said, as I packed up my stuff for the weekend.
    ****
    â€œAllison!”
    â€œJake?