a boy on a hill

"I wonder if they'd gone out?" Maybe Valentina was thinking out loud about Ollie and Candy, when she brought it up while working with Ste at the bakery. It was just the two of them, cleaning up.

"Don't be afraid to ask," he said. "Ollie needs to tell you everything." He nodded as he wiped down the counter.

Valentina sighed. She knew it wasn't a big deal, but that girl, Candy, put her off. Valentina winced, thinking her birthday could have been perfect..except...

Did she really want to go there?

"I'm sure it's nothing," Valentina said, trying to shake the feeling of a certain fear she'd been unaware of, before.

"It might be something." There went Ste, ever so sly and then a smirk. She didn't know if she could trust him.  Valentina needed to believe everything was OK. Yes, it was hard to pick up where they left off. She and Ollie needed to keep this steady and right.

Just then the door jangled. Valentina went to the register. It was Simon. Suddenly, her smile fell short. She hadn't expected him to be here.

"How was your birthday?" He asked.

"Good." She would keep it short. Weren't they, not a couple? It felt a little troubling now, the way he looked at her with an open smile. She wouldn't say it was inviting, but it was a little sad.

"Sorry, I couldn't wish you a happy birthday." He handed her a little package. It looked like it might hold earrings or some sort of jewelry.

She couldn't look him in the face. How come she felt like crying when she was around him?

She got him a coffee and a left over muffin, at no charge. The dining area was empty so she sat with him.

"How have...you..been?" She could hardly put her words together. He waited for her to open the present. It was a small gold heart on a chain. Valentina smiled. She could see herself in a room full of hearts. Even the kitchen. Everyone, always expected her to love hearts. Maybe she did, but it was a little too much.

She thanked him, not really wanting anything more, but he took the necklace and put it around her neck, so lovingly.

Valentina held a breath. What was she getting herself into? It was as if Simon had a reprieved of some kind. Maybe even a loss of memory. They weren't going out anymore and yet he seemed to think so.

"Nice, you went out for pizza." He sounded as if it were a family outing. A part of her wanted him to believe what he wanted. She knew he was still recovering from more than the flu. There was something so delicate about him. She would hate to break it.