It All Started With a Lima Bean by Kimi Flores Read Free Book Online

granddaughter. She brightens my day every time I get to see her. You are truly a blessed woman.”
    “That I am Abby. Caleb’s not so bad himself. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    “Um, yes.” She hesitated. “He’s very nice. I’ve actually read a couple of his books too. He’s extremely talented.” She felt her skin flush again , and Leah gave her a knowing look, darn it.
    “My friend here is a fanatical reader. She would rather read than sit here with you and me. Believe me.” Leah pointed to her from across the table. Good, that’s why she thought Abby was blushing. She’d take that.
    Once they were done eating and threw their trash away, Grace asked, “Okay girls, so what are we on the hunt for today?”
    “I want to make my tomato and green bean salad, spicy cucumber slaw and chocolate-filled raspberries, but I always get avocados, broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower too.” Abby shared her list before returning the question. “How about you guys?”
    “I think I’ll be coming to your house to eat. That all sounds great. I assume you fill the raspberries with chocolate and refrigerate them?” Grace kept the conversation light.
    “Yes and I use Ghirardelli, the best chocolate known to man.”
    “That sounds divine, Abby.”
    “It is, but she doesn’t always share.” Leah bumped her on the shoulder and winked.
    “I share, but when you show up two days after I make them, and expect me to have some left, that’s your loss.”
    “Well, I just went to Sprouts the other day and got a lot, so I think I only need stuff for salsa. The peaches should still be fresh so I may make one with them.” Leah shared her shopping list as she picked up a piece of fruit and sniffed. “Oh man this smells good.” She handed it over to Abby who also took a whiff.
    “I will also get a couple of those.” Grace grabbed the fruit and placed a handful in a bag before paying for all of their produce.
    “Wait, why are you paying?” Abby questioned.
    “I want to thank you for letting me tag along with you girls.” She looked down. “I love spending time with Caleb. He’s like my son, but I miss spending this kind of time with young ladies like you two. Rene and I used to come here together when she was alive.” Abby’s heart fell, and her eyes filled with tears when she looked at Leah’s somber face. Grace’s daughter had died at such an early age. Abby couldn’t even imagine the pain Grace had endured.
    “You are welcome, anytime you would like to join us. You can be our shopping den mom.” The look on Grace’s face made Abby’s eyes gloss over even more. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Leah now.
    “You girls are so delightful. Thank you for welcoming me.” She sniffed. “Now before I start blubbering like a baby, let’s go find some of those raspberries.”

 
     
    Abby didn’t particularly enjoy Back to School night and was extremely nervous. After working all day, she didn’t want to stand in front of a bunch of judgmental parents who wondered how she was going to help their ‘gifted’ kindergartener get into Harvard one day. It was a requirement, so she would have to push through the evening. Leah walked into her class holding up an all too familiar cup of coffee, “Thank Heaven for 7 Eleven.” She winked while handing the liquid gold to Abby.
    “Have I told you that you are my best friend, and I’ll love you forever?” Abby offered up her cheesiest smile.
    “Yes, but I wish you would say it even when I’m not handing you a cup of coffee.” Leah had her hands on her hips pretending to be bothered. “So what do you want me to do?”
    “Just be here for moral support. You know how I get.” Yes, her best friend did know how anxious she got speaking to a large group of adults.
    “Oh Honey, I will be here for you. I may have to get all ghetto and beat any of the snotty moms who look at you the wrong way though. I’ll hand you my earrings if it goes that far.” This was a joke they said