Alice's Umbrella

Chapter 6: Friendship

"Want another glass of wine, Alaska?" I heard April call from the kitchen.

"No, that's okay. I think I've already had one too many."

"Good, 'cause I'm drinking the last of it anyways." April strolled back towards the couch, swirling her glass of celebratory cheap wine. She'd insisted we uncork it the minute I mentioned that I'd gotten a job. She claimed she wanted to toast my good fortune, but I had the strong feeling she really just wanted to mooch my booze.

April moved out to New York one year after graduation. She and I crossed paths once again at Walmart. That was seven years ago, back when I was pregnant with Alice...after I was dating Daniel. Daniel McAdams was my boyfriend since senior year of high school. He was very handsome, charming guy. It wasn't until a month into our relationship that I realized that he was a complete asshole. He was a...terrible mistake in my life, but he's also the father of Alice. When I found out I was pregnant, I broke up with him.

He had no idea that Alice existed, and that's the way I'd like to keep it.

"You know, you're getting soft, Young." She smirked. "You can't hold your liquor anymore."

"Yeah, it's called 'I have a kid.' The craziest thing I did this week was stay up 'til midnight watching Full House reruns." April snorted. "Not to mention, some people have to go to work tomorrow morning," I added poking her foot.

"Yeah, so what's this mysterious job, anyways?" April inquired. "I was so excited about the wine, I forgot to ask. We could be celebrating your new employment at a downtown strip club for all I know." My eye roll was involuntary.

"It's a coffee shop. I didn't get the impression they'd be having me serve coffee naked, but I guess you never know." April just stared at me. "What?" I demanded when she didn't look away. She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, did you say 'coffee shop'?" I nodded.

"Well, I mean, they also serve pastries and stuff," I added with a shrug.

That made April burst out laughing, almost sloshing wine out of her glass.

"What?" I was starting to get annoyed.

"Alaska...you tried to make me a birthday cake last year using a boxed cake mix and the thing turned out inevitable. Coffee shops slash bakeries or whatever generally try to serve food and drinks that people can eat without dying." I glared at her.

"That cake didn't turn out that bad." I remembered the hours I'd put into baking and frosting that stupid Fundetti Pillsbury cake.

"Honey, I used that thing in place of a car jack when I needed to change a tire. It was that dense." She started to laugh again, but her grin faltered when she saw the look of worry in my eyes. Instantly, she was kneeling next to me with a firm grasp on my hand. "Oh, A. I was just being a bitch because I'm half-drunk. Don't listen to me."

"No, you're right," I told her flatly. "I can't make ice. I'm going to burn the place down."

"No you're not. I'm sure even if you're not in the back baking anything, they have other jobs they need someone to do. Maybe you'll be on the register, or washing dishes or something. If they hired you on the spot then they're probably desperate for any help they can get." April's words were comforting. Despite how much she teased me, she was always brutally honest so I could trust that her reassurances were based on what she truly thought. I smiled at her and she gave me a sisterly peck on the cheek. "That's my girl. Now tell me all about it. What's it called?"

"Floyd's," I answered promptly, the name rolling pleasantly off of my tongue. "I-um, saw someone very familiar there."

"Who?" April swished the wine around in her glass.

"Henry."

April coughed wildly. "Matthews? Henry Matthews?"

"The one and only." I nodded.

"Oh my God!" April placed her glass onto the coffee table and jumped up. "Does this mean that Alice gets a brand new daddy?" She winked.

"Shut up!" I slapped her arm but I couldn't keep from laughing. "Don't give her any ideas!"

"Uh, newsflash! One day, that kid's going to want you two together."

"Yeah, but let's not make that day today. I don't think I could handle that just yet."