The return

Chapter 3

The next morning Joy woke up to go to church service. She met Thompkins who on leaving said to her: "Since I've met you, I'm pleased to announce that you're officially my helper in the shop! You passed the probationary period brilliantly"

"Oh thank you so much Mr. Thompkins, I don't know how to thank you!" and hugged him.

A little embarrassed because he wasn't used to so much affection, he replied: "You deserved it. By the way, tomorrow you can take the morning off and join me in the afternoon, on Monday morning there are never too many people"

"Thanks again, I'll be forever grateful" and she hugged him again.

Thompkins greeted her and in the meantime she was joined by Rachel who had seen her in the Church and had witnessed the scene.

"Congratulations! I heard unwillingly the good news!"

"Thanks Rachel, I'm so happy"

"I can imagine! So tomorrow morning, since you're free, I'll send you Cody and Noah for the shelves"

"Oh that would be great, thanks"

"But you think so. Do you have plans for today?"

"Not really, I think I'll rest and read a good book"

"You can come to us!"

"Oh no, Rachel, I don't want to disturb, you've been so kind already"

"By now I consider you a friend and I would like to, but I also understand that you want to rest"

"I also want to avoid being too intrusive and annoying someone..."

"I understand what you mean ... give him time and you will see that he will then accept you like everyone else"

"I don't like being judged for who I am not, it's a matter of principle"

"And it's mutual for him. You're not that different after all."

"Perhaps, but I'm not that standoffish"

"This is true! Anyway, really, we are waiting for you with open arms anytime, especially Cody it seems" and she laughed. Joy burst out laughing with her.

"It will pass soon, when he realizes that it is a one-sided interest"

"He did the same when I arrived, then we became friends"

The two women greeted each other.

Joy spent the afternoon tidying up the house and reading a good book on Native Americans: it had become a matter of principle: she wanted to show Buck that she was really interested in his culture, without prejudice.

Not too early on Monday morning, she heard a knock on her door. She went to open it and saw Cody who to her surprise was not accompanied by Noah but by Buck.

"Good morning Joy, did you have a good Sunday?"

"Good morning Cody. Yes, thank you and you?"

"We got a little bored. Of course if you had joined us it would have been a completely different thing"

"I didn't mean to be intrusive. We will be able to meet. Good morning to you too Buck. Wasn't Noah supposed to come?"

"Good morning. Noah had to run an errand for Rachel who sent me instead"

Joy smiled to herself and told herself that this woman knew more than the devil.

She invited them in, and when Buck was near her, she said: "Ah, Buck, thanks again for Saturday."