...Naturally

Robert agreed to start the day with her.  They had been friends for years.  She liked his keen business sense, his downright common sense in all matters important and fun.  Half her age, she was happy to have him in her life.  He knew everyone in town and would be an efficient wait staff opener.  She had him for the whole day as well as two college age students who were working there this year.

Her children would fly in later in the week. They loved her new life, that she was the strength of their family.  A constant.  Someone they could always turn to without judgment.  Janel missed them terribly but they were doing what we want our children to do - spread their wings.  They kept reminding her that this was her time.  That they were fine.  With her ambassador-like personality this would fit her to a T.

More than anything, she wanted to create a little town center.  Where people could come to eat healthy, organic food, be greeted by staff who welcomed them as a loving family would. 

Janel was a long way from home.  From another life.  Maybe it was the James Thurber’s story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, that set her path since third grade.  Walter Mitty was essentially a timid person who had a two day daydreaming escapade. Walter Mitty fantasized about one exciting adventure after another.  Janel wanted a lifetime of adventure.  Not that she married an adventurous man.  She married the man in the grey flannelled suit.  That is what she needed in her twenties.  It wasn’t what she wanted or even needed in her later years. And she didn't want him or his self-consumed ways anymore. 

As happy as she was to fulfill another adventure, Janel wondered how she mustered the courage to do the unthinkable.  She sold her children’s home in their early twenties.  But that was long ago.   Even though she knew she was dying in that marriage, she had to go. Or, she really would have been dead. She knew her children needed a mother, at least one healthy parent.  She was grateful to be an integral part of their lives, and they hers. She was so glad most of the pain was behind her.

And now she had three people walking in to her new cafe.

"Welcome."