Family come in all shapes and sizes

Amy was a single mom who learns being family does not mean related

Chapter 1

As Joel walked from the warmth of his home, he gasped as the chill instantly hit him. Pulling his jacket tighter, he hurried to the car. After starting it, he began to brush the fresh power from it thanks to a snowstorm that swept through the night before.

As he was brushing the snow from his car, he remembered what the sight of snow meant when he was in school. He, and every child everywhere, eagerly waited and watched the news to see if their school closed for the day. He then laughed because in that same moment as the child wished for a snow day, parents did not because they would either have to take the day off, or find a sitter for their child. Now as an adult he knew their frustration because he had employees who would call in when their child was out of school.

Many of his friends had come from single parent homes for one reason or another. And he felt sorry when they had to miss out on something because his dad had to work or her mom couldn’t find someone to cover her shift. He also remembered how pretty the new fallen snow was when it fell and was untouched by man or animal. The sun shimmered on it making it almost look like diamonds sparkling. And he knew today was the first of many such days to come and he would be hearing from single parents saying they could not make it in, because their kids had snow days and not going to school.

“Come on Cara lets go,” Joel said, turning toward the door.

“Coming honey,” The woman said as she walked out the front door, closing and locking it behind her.

“I was just making sure everything was turned off,” She said as they walked toward the truck.

“Oh okay, ready now?”

“Yep, Brrrr it’s cold out here.” She said also pulling her jacket tighter. “Let’s get going.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” He said getting in on his side as she did hers.

Before long they were buckled and, on the way to work where they would be out of the elements. And warmer.
It was on days like this they wondered just how much business or employees they would have come through the door.
But thankfully for the backing of their parents, his inheritance, and their savings – days like these really didn’t hurt his business too much.

As the two entered the dark and cold café, Joel moved to disarm the alarm as Cara turned on the lights and heater. Not to mention start making coffee, coca and tea. Then as she continued to get the dining room ready, Joel headed into the kitchen and did the same thing.

“Morning Dad,” he said as the shadows from the streetlight outside cast shadows on the walls from the partially closed blinds. Unfortunately, any shadows that were visible in the dark vanished when he turned on the lights.
But whether he saw them or not, he knew they were there in spirit and in his heart.

While he was busy in the kitchen Cara was continuing to work in the dining room setting out dishes and silverware.
Just then the door opened and in walked a woman and a child. Along with the two, came whisps of snow covering the entrance which was caused by the wind.

“Oh my it’s cold out there,” The woman said as she stomped her feet and opened her jacket knocking the snow off. Then she did the same for the child.

“Good morning, Amy, and Saddie. How are you two this cold morning?”

“Trying to stay out of this blasted snow and cold.” Amy said as the two came farther into the room.

“I’m sorry to bring her, schools are closed and day care doesn’t open til 9:am.”

“Yea I don’t have school today, Yay.” The child said, looking at Cara.

“Is that so?” Cara said, smiling at the child with hands on her hips. ”Well, how about some hot chocolate to warm you up. Then you can help me set the tables while mom gets to work.”

“Can I mom?”

“Why yes of course.” She said to her daughter then mouthed thank you to Cara.
Smiling, Cara shook her head, “We’re family that’s what we do.” She then took the child’s hand and they went behind the counter to where the coffee machines were.

'What needs done?’ Amy asked as she put her hair back and tied her apron.

“The salt, pepper and sugar containers need to be filled and set out.”

“Okay done.” Amy said as she headed to where they kept those things. Cara had already set them out on the counter but had not begun filling them. So Amy began filling them while Cara and Sadie made coffee and hot chocolate.

“While those are making, how about helping me set out coffee cups and silver wear.”

“Can I?”

“Absolutely. Here is the already wrapped silverware on the tray. Just place 4 on each table. Then do the same with the cups.”

“Neat.”
AS she began doing that Joel came from the kitchen letting the doors swing shut behind him.

“I thought I heard voices out here.” He said, stepping from behind the counter.

“I have a helper today.” Cara smiled nodding at the child.

“Well how cool.” He smiled at seeing how much fun Sadie was having. “Morning Sadie.”

“Morning Mr….”

“Royce, but you can call me Joel.”


“Oh okay,”

“I’m sorry the day care doesn’t open til 9.” Amy said for the second time that morning.

“Hey no apologies, we're family.”

“That’s what Cara said.”

“Well she’s right, we are.” He said looking at his busy crew hard at work.

This is what his folks meant when they said ‘families come in all shapes and sizes and types’ and are what you make of them. He just stood there watching how eager the child was to do “grown-up’ work. It teaches responsibility and a sense of belonging and pride in themselves.
Before long the silver wear had all been placed and coffee and hot chocolate were done.

“Good job,” Cara said looking at the tables with her hands on her hips. “I say we deserve that hot chocolate break, how bout you?”

“I think so too,” Saddie said, smiling.


Chapter 2
Later that morning after the breakfast rush Amy saw an opening to pop in and speak with Joel for a moment.

“Joel, thank you for letting Sadie hang out until the day care opened. The breakfast rush is done. I'll take her to day care if that’s okay?”

“You will do no such thing. She’s not in the way and she’s helping out because of the storm and short staff. She’s not in the way and the customers love her.” He said, setting back in his chair.

“You said she’s not in the way twice.” He just looked at her as he contemplated those words remembering what he said. Then he nodded yes.

“Yes, yes I did. And I meant it.”

“Thank you.” Amy said with a smile which looked like she was already tired.

“Why don’t you take a seat and let’s talk.” He said pointing to the chair opposite him.

“Oh okay, " she said, turning to see where the chair was before he sat down.

“It must be hard to be a single new parent.”

“I’ll be honest, it hasn’t been easy.” She said with raised eyebrows.

“I can’t even imagine what being a parent is like, much less being a single parent.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I love being a parent, but there are days it is just too much.”

“Where are your parents?”

“Across the country,” she said, smiling. “We never expected to be here long, he wanted to move closer to his parents then he got sick and we didn’t have time,money or resources to do that. Now I’m glad we didn't like it here.”

“Well, I’m glad you stayed as well,”

“With it being Halloween, she is going to want to go trick or treating and just how I’m feeling right now, all I’m going to want to do is take a bath and put my feet up.”

They were silent for a moment.

“How would you feel if Cara and I took her trick or treating and let you rest a bit.”

“Without even thinking about it, " she replied. “That sounds great.” She said almost eager to let that even be a thought. He was her boss, and she couldn’t mix business with personal life.

“So, what do you say? I know Cara would love it. In fact, we are taking a few of our nieces and nephews out with the neighbor kids. She would fit right in.”

“She would love it; we usually go alone.”
“Then ask her when you step back out. And baring any trick er treaters you have, you can rest and put your feet up.”

“Thank you, Joel”

“Your welcome.”

“You can tell me to mind my own business, but have you and Cara thought about children of your own?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t have them. And we have been looking at different ways to fill that void.”

“Oh Joel, I’m so sorry to hear about that.”

“Thank you, we have known this for a while, but it isn’t easy when you really want children of your own. And a lot of people are leery and cautious of those who don’t have them.”

“That’s not a bad thing but if you know the people it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Then let’s go tell Cara and Sadie together.” He said as he got up and walked around the desk.

“Let’s.” Amy said as she waited for Joel to get to her so they could walk out and tell the two together.

When they walked out into the dining room, the two of them were sitting at a table having something to eat.

“She was getting a little hungry, I thought some fruit wouldn’t be too bad until you came back and fixed her some lunch.”

“That’s sweet of you. Thank you.”

“Joel mentioned something, and I think it’s a great idea- if you do.”

“What’s that?”

And with that Joel explained what they talked about giving Amy a day off and taking Sadie out with the others Trick er treating.

“I think that’s fantastic; I’d love to do that.”

“What do you think, Sadie?” .”


“Are you sure Mommy?” She said cautiously.

“I sure am, you should go out and have fun with other kids.”

“Well, if you are sure then I would like that.”

“Then it’s a date, we will go trick-or-treating after work tonight.
~~~~
About 5: 30 they closed, and everyone went home for dinner. Because it was so cold, they were not going out in the elements, they were heading to the mall and visiting each store where employees dressed up and passed out candy.

The end