I spent the majority of Thursday writing when I got home from work. Renalt's story was not going to write itself, and I was so close to being finished that I couldn't help my inclination to write straight through the day until I needed to sleep. I scarfed down a quick protein ramen before bed that evening and had to remind myself to pack a bag for work, something I had never done before. This bag contained the DaVinci Code, my personal copy of Amaranth, and my laptop. I also decided to grab my copy of Utopia, surreptitiously cramming it into my bag.

The next morning was my usual routine of waking up 30 minutes before my shift to quickly dress and get ready for work.

My phone dinged. I ignored the message, knowing I could open it while setting up the shop this morning. While I didn't normally eat breakfast before work, I decided to grab an apple from the fridge to much on during my drive before exiting my house. The roads were absolutely dead at this hour.

I pulled up to Jenna's car in the parking lot and was immediately thankful that I wasn't working alone on a Friday morning.

Once inside the shop, I stowed my bag under the counter behind the register and got to work. Jenna had already prepped fresh hot coffee, and the ice bins were drained, meaning I just needed to fill them.

"Hey! Thought I'd see you today. How'd it go on Wednesday with Mr. New guy?" Jenna asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"It's not like that, I learned that his mother and aunt own a little books and oddities store that I frequently visit and we just got to talking," I replied, before adding, "and his name is Thomas, not new guy." To which she laughed.

"Surrre, and I'm a virgin," she smirked. I had to admit-to myself-that Thomas was a decent guy, but I hadn't dated in such a long time that it wasn't even something I considered doing any time soon. I rolled my eyes at her antics.

"Can't I be friends with someone without wanting to date them?" I asked while pulling tea bags to prepare the iced teas.

"You can, but I'm sure he's got more on his mind than that," while it wasn't my business to tell, I knew dating also had to he the last thing on Thomas' mind due to the fact his mother wasn't doing so well. Jenna prepared the creamer wells and sugar containers as I filled napkin holders, and it was then 10 minutes before opening time.

"I know I had said that I would bring that book, Amaranth, with me last shift, but I forgot it on my counter. I did bring it today!" I froze. I, too, had forgotten she'd read my book and wanted to show it to me. Jenna left the counter and came back with the copy in her hands. I stared blankly at the book when she presented it to me. My breath caught in my chest at the sight of the cover.

"I really think you'd like it, I wish the author would make a prequel or even a sequel, though," she attempted to press the book into my hands, and I politely declined.

"I've read some of it already, Thomas brought it with him when he visited the other day, and I've got a copy of my own now," it wasn't a total lie, and keeping my voice from wavering as I spoke was a challenge.

"Ooh! I would like to meet and talk with this Thomas about it! The book has been picking up steam lately, and I saw on the author's website that she is going on a book tour soon. I've already let Abe know we need to find the closest location when the tour starts," I was sure my face lost all color at her words. Jenna noticed my reaction. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?" I shook my head no in response.

"I need to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back," I said and left the counter. Once in the bathroom, I splashed water on my face with shaky hands. God damn. If I was like this when people I know approach me about my book, I wasn't so sure I could do an actual book tour. I needed to rethink what I'd told Carly. Perhaps I could sign a ton of books, and she could sell them at each location? I shook my head at my foolishness. That wouldn't work out well.

I checked my phone to see how many minutes until we opened, and remembered that someone had texted me earlier. It wasn't a number I recognized, but it read: Good morning, this is Thomas, my aunt had your number so I asked for it because I wanted to let you know that my mother had some complications with Chemo yesterday and we had to take a trip to the hospital this morning, and I won't be able to visit you at work.

My heart plummeted upon reading this. It was going to be a long shift. I pocketed my phone before heading back to the counter. Jenna was just unlocking the door as I exited.

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen death," the concern was evident in her eyes.

"Yes, just worried for Thomas, his mother had to go to the hospital," and in that instant, I was glad to have a reason other than my anxiety for my odd behavior. "While I have only just met Thomas, I've known his mother and aunt for a few years, and it's just as upsetting for me," I added as an explanation.

"Oh shit, and me bugging you about him has you all upset. I am so sorry," she said. I didn't bother to correct her.

"It's okay,"

Once 6am came around, it was all chaos. Fridays were the busiest day of the week, and today was no exception. While I hated busy days, it kept my mind off Thomas and his mother.

By the time my break rolled around, I clocked out to sit at one of our tables. I figured I'd take notes of talking points from my selection of books and then visit Sarah's shop after work to see how things were doing.

My phone buzzed, and I looked at the messages, hoping it was Thomas, and was slightly annoyed at seeing Carly's name pop up on my phone.

Hey, chica! I got your tour outlined for the months of September and October; now is the time to get your work schedule in order so you don't miss these! We'll be traveling out of state for a few, but I figured we'd begin in Florida as a start. I've also emailed the schedule to you, so take a look and let me know how things go!

I rolled my eyes before exiting from the text. How she managed to be so chipper in a text message was beyond me.

I looked at the email she sent. There was a list of 12 different locations, two of which were event fairs. She'd originally said there were three. Where did the other nine come from? My heart began to race as I sent her a text back.

Got your email. We'd only talled about 3 signings. Where did the rest come from? It's all good, but a little overwhelming to think about and to take off time for.

I placed my phone on the table in front of me, ignoring any other messages for the time being. I would submit my time off for those months before I left work today. It wasn't like I needed the job here, as my book sales were good enough I could live off of royalties with only working alone shift or two a week. Alongside protected sales for the next year I'd be set to put money away in savings. So why was I beating myself up over this? This was what I wanted. I thought back to my mother who always gave me shit for wanting to be a writer, and enjoying the things I did. No; I wouldn't allow her negative Nancy self ruin my future.

After my break I started on dishes since Regina came in for paperwork and interviews, and would also run the counter in between. It allowed me to clear my head and think about how I wanted to proceed. I had roughly three and a half months to get my shit together, come out to the world, interact more with my readers and social media, and God only knows what else before these damned tours.

A lot could happen in one month, who knew where I'd be in three? I dumped the next batch of dishes in the sink and muttered to myself, "Good gravy" as a spoon got the better of me under a stream of hot water. A water spout promptly shot itself at my clothes, and I couldn't find it in myself to care. The door to the kitchen swung open in a loud squeal.

"-and as I said before Jenna, I need more people here before I can move you to the new store, so-" the talking stopped abruptly as I caught Regina's annoyed expression while Jenna followed in tow.

"Can you close tonight? Brianna called off, and I can stay until 7, but not later than that," Regina asked me.

I opened my mouth to say something before Jenna stepped in, giving me a sideways glance, "she's got family in the hospital. I'll stay so she can go visit them," and I couldn't have been more grateful for her in that moment.

"Oh, my apologies, and okay Jenna, that'll be fine," Regina went back up front while Jenna stayed with me.

"She offered me the position, but only if we can get more people at this location. Which in her world means only if we can't find someone else before then," Jenna huffed.

"I'm sorry, I know you wanted that position more than I did. And thank you for stepping in for me, I would've said yes to staying otherwise," I said sheepishly. I had a hard time saying no to Regina, even if it meant I wouldn't get to see how Sarah was doing.

"I figured by the way you spoke about Thomas' aunt and mother earlier they meant a great deal to you, and knowing what you've told me, I figured you'd want to leave ASAP to check on them,"

"Thank you. I know Abe is gonna miss you when you don't get home at your usual time," I said.

"He can wait on me, I have to deal with his trucking hours all the time, so he can deal with me working a double every once in a while," she replied nonchalantly. I admired her spirit because if  I was with someone who was gone for weeks on end I wasn't sure if could handle that. I wouldn't call myself clingy when it came to relationships, but I'd want to see my partner more than once a week. I nodded my thanks again before she went back up front.

I finished the morning dishes by 1pm, and then mopped the floor before finishing my shift at the counter. This time of day on Fridays was the busiest, and while there were four of us working it was still a race to finish orders before our customers became antsy. By the time 2pm rolled around my feet felt permanently bruised from standing and moving around so much.

I was grateful for the softness of my car seats when I clocked out, but not before writing in my time off for the months of September through October, stating it was personal time off. I knew that taking that much time off would not look good, but I wasn't going to choose between my future and my now. My future would win, I could always find another coffee shop to work at, or a side gig for small bills.

I promptly made my way to Sarah's shop.

School traffic was atrocious and I was worried she'd close shop before I could make it there, but thankfully her shop closed at 4pm, and my almost 3pm arrival would give me time to talk and see how things were going. The little bell tinkled as I entered.

"I'll be with you in a moment!" It was unmistakably Sarah's voice.

"It's Eliza, I've come to visit!" I called back. I patiently waited as Sarah made her way up front.

"Hello dear, I'm assuming you got Thomas' text," she said with a knowing look.

"I did," I replied.

"I spent last night with her, and Thomas took her to the hospital this morning, she'll be there for a few days to get her white blood cell count lower, and we hope she responds better to Chemo, but it's not looking so good right now," her voice had lost its chipper and normally happy tone.

"Are you holding up okay?"

"As well as can be expected. If I didn't have bills to pay, I'd have closed shop early today," she said.

"They almost had me pull a double, but luckily Jenna was able to pick up the shift," I told her.

"You could do so much better, you are doing so much better," Sarah had to correct herself and I couldn't help the small smile that graced my lips.

"If I didn't have my own bills, I'd quit the coffee shop altogether, but I could whittle it down to a shift or two a week without issue. I've got a book tour coming up in September and October. I've already requested off the time," I told her. And based on the buzzing in my pocket, Regina noticed and was contacting me.

"Wow! That's amazing, so you're finally coming out and into the open," she gave me a knowing look.

"I suppose. I've got three months to figure things out, and I know I can't keep hiding behind my words and stories my whole life, but this is happening a lot faster than I expected," I explained.

"You've got our support, if you wanted you could come work here, tips aren't as nice, but at least you wouldn't have to pretend around us," Sarah looked hopeful.

"I haven't even told Thomas I was the one to write Amaranth, and part of me feels so guilty about it, but the other part of me wants honest opinions and feedback," Sarah snorted, and I couldn't help but nervously wring my hands together.

"I haven't said a word, but I think it would be best to let him know sooner rather than later," her side eye suggested a lot more than I was prepared to admit.

"You're right," a silence hung between us before I said, "do you think Natalie will come home soon? Or..." I let the unasked question taper off.

"Who knows? She's been battling this for so long, and while it's only stage two, it could mutate quicker than she can receive Chemo. The doctors were concerned about it when I visited last, but nothing was definitive," her eyes turned glassy as I thought about the implications for her and for Thomas. Thomas would lose the only parent who cared about him, and Sarah would lose a sister. Having no siblings of my own, and an estranged mother, I couldn't connect with this kind of grief.

"If there is anything I can do, please let me know, whatever it may be," I told her.

"Thank you. For now it's just seeing how things go. Natalie won't return until she gets better, so Thomas and I are the only ones running the shop for now, unless..." and again she gave me a pointed look.

"I can't make any promises, especially with the tour coming up, but maybe in the future," I said as a sheepish grin spread across my face.

"I know, I know. I'm going to put up some advertisements on Indeed and places like that as a start," I nodded, liking that idea. After a few moments of silence, she said, "I'm going to close early for the day, we've had plenty of business and I'd like to visit Natalie once more before visiting hours are over at the hospital,"

"Of course, I'll let you be so you can do that," I replied.

"If you want to come and visit, just let me know and we can take a trip together," I felt too awkward by the offer and just nodded my thanks instead of saying anything aloud. I turned and exited the shop. Home didn't seem like the place to be, but nowhere else was quiet enough. I had a lot on my mind and not enough time or energy to deal with it today.