Saturday morning dawned with a fine mist and gray skies, but the clouds were expected to burn off according to the weatherman. Brenna had been awakened early that morning by tossing and turning and was surprised to see Molly in her bed until she remembered that Scott was in Molly's bed. She smiled and got up to have coffee with Zoe before the others woke up.
Brenna settled into her chair outside, a blanket wrapped tightly around her, Zoe at her side, and listened to the morning birds, smelled the heavily-laden lilac bushes and counted her blessings.
That afternoon, after a big breakfast and a lot of catching up on each other's lives, Brenna drove Molly and Scott into town in her newly repaired Blazer. They stopped by Mel's so she could introduce them to Wendy. As Brenna pulled the door open, the familiar smell of hamburgers and fries wafted outside.
"Hey, Brenna! Where have you been?" Wendy asked, trotting down to their end of the counter as they settled themselves on bar stools, Scott's creaking slightly beneath him.
"Around." Brenna gave her a micro-version of the accident and then introduced her friends. "Wendy keeps me sane when I'm bored and haven't been around people enough."
Wendy beamed, happy to hear she was helping someone once again. Brenna didn't fail to notice the admiring glances she gave Scott. Boyfriend or no boyfriend, Wendy wasn't blind. Brenna hadn't looked at Scott like that since she'd gotten to know him. He was a great guy, but like a brother to her. She gave him a once-over out of the corner of her eye. Yep, just a good brother.
They visited a little longer and then left for a run on the beach. It was a rarity for Scott to get out of the city so they meant to make the most of it.
Later that evening, Adam came into Mel's for dinner after a long, grueling accident call. Wendy was just punching out her timecard and sat down beside him before leaving for the night. They discussed the accident while Adam waited for his food. When he started eating and his mouth was full, Wendy began to tell him about Brenna's visit that day.
"...and she had this total hunk with her, big and blond. She used to work with him in Portland."
Adam swallowed his food and cut her off. "I saw him, okay? You don't have to describe him, thanks."
Wendy narrowed her eyes at him. "If you met him, why do you look like you swallowed a lemon? They're just friends."
"Yeah, well, looked like pretty good friends to me. I didn't meet him, I just saw him." He shoveled another mouthful in.
"Well, then I know more than you, don't I? They said they were just friends and I believe them. Molly sat between them right here and I can tell when there are vibes happening and there were not."
Adam grew exasperated. "Wendy, sometimes you don't know when to quit."
She hopped off the stool and and glared at him, her eyes flashing. "I would think in your line of work, you'd realize how short life is. It's not to be wasted, not one day. I'm sure Jared would tell you that. I think Brenna is a pretty cool person with a big heart, and I bet she's been through a lot, too. You're not the only one with grief in your past. If you're not willing to take the time to know her, then you don't deserve her." And with that, Wendy flounced out the door.
Adam drank his coffee slowly. What had gotten her tail in a twist? Wendy was always outspoken, but this time she was mad. He sat on his stool, his coffee cooling in his mug, wondering if once again, Wendy was on the right track.