I had to admit, waiting until ten thirty to get my first hit of caffeine wasn’t working for me. I’d intended to ask Betty or Ned if I could put an electric kettle in my room but hadn’t had the chance. The first night after work I’d been dog tired. I wasn’t run off my feet until the end of the night when it got busy but I was still recovering from my swim. I’d just gone to the hotel room and crashed. Didn’t even get any dinner. The second night after work I’d walked straight to the diner and had a burger, got my second wind and went to the hotel and had a swim. Then I’d crashed.

“Do you mind if I buy an electric kettle for my room?” I asked. “It might take me awhile to get myself a place and –”

I stopped talking because she stopped the spray on the hose and turned to me.

“Sure thing, Lauren, that’s a great idea. And we got one ‘a those little, mini fridges. We ain’t usin’ it. I’ll get Ned to put it in your room. You’re gonna be around awhile you’ll need somewhere to store your milk.”

“That’s very kind of you, but –”

She talked over me. “In fact, I’ll get Ned to go out today and get you a kettle. You’re on your feet all day, you don’t need to be runnin’ errands at night.”

“I really couldn’t –”

“Maybe we’ll get two or three. Offer ‘em to customers with some of those little packets of instant. Rent ‘em out. Nice little extra.” She tipped her head to the side. “How you take your coffee?”

“Milk and sugar,” I answered. “But, Betty –”

“I’ll get Ned to pick some ‘a that up too.”

“Betty –”

She waved me quiet. “I like this idea. Kettles. Little mugs. Prolly could rent ‘em out for five dollars a go. Could put that in the brochure. An extra amenity. I’ll get Ned to make a sign for reception.” She wandered to the side of the hotel, preparing to roll the hose where there was a holder. “Thanks, hon. Always lookin’ for ways to improve service.”

Weirdly, Betty thought her and Ned doing me a favor was me doing her one.

Yes, you could say I liked Betty.

“I’ll give you my five dollars when I get back,” I told her.

“You. Gratis seein’ as you’re a long timer.” She looked up from rolling the hose and grinned big at me. “And you like our pool.”

I decided to let her kindness go, even though it was generous and considering there were only two other vehicles in her parking lot (one mini-van, one Harley), she and Ned weren’t exactly rolling in it. Then again, my father always told me if someone offers a kindness, take it. Just be the sort of person who does the same on a regular basis so you can be certain to even things out in your way.

“Who wouldn’t like your pool?” I teased, “I hear it’s the best in the county.”

She laughed, shook her head and muttered, “My Ned. He’s a bragger.” She threw me another grin. “Get to work, hon.”

“See you later, Betty.”

“Maybe tomorrow for coffee?”

“Yeah.”

Her grin got even bigger. “I’d like that.”

I smiled at her, walked into town and went right to La-La Land. I’d done the bakery and their coffee and donuts the first day. I’d tried La-La Land the second. La-La Land’s coffee was far superior and their banana bread was, if it could be believed, better than any donut I’d ever tasted and therefore definitely by far the best banana bread I’d had in my life.

I walked in and the man had purple-tinted, round framed glasses on this time. The woman had a tie-dyed kerchief shielding some but not all of her frizzy ash blonde hair.

“Hey!” the man cried, “You were in here yesterday!”

He said this like it was a miracle and he was considering calling the Vatican.

I felt my face go soft as I gave him a small smile and walked to the counter. “Yes.”

“She had a banana and a skinny butterscotch,” the girl noted and asked me, “You like?”

“The banana bread was fantastic and you do good coffee,” I told her.

“I make the bread,” the guy said, “secret’s mayo.”

“What?” I asked.

“I put a tablespoon of mayo in it.”

I blinked at him. “You do?”

“He puts a tablespoon of mayo in everything,” the girl said.

“Not pie,” the guy amended.

“Not pie,” the girl repeated.

“Why do you do that?” I asked.

“Moist Factor Five Hundred, babeeeeeee,” the guy said on a big, goofy grin and I laughed.

“Moist Factor Five Hundred?”

“Yeah, a tablespoon of mayo ups the moist factor by five hundred. You doubt me, make your favorite cake, brownies, whatever, just not pie. A recipe you’ve made for ages. Put in a tablespoon of mayo and wham! You won’t know what hit you. Moist Factor Five Hundred,” he shared.

“He makes his own mayo too,” the girl added.

“Make my own everything,” he agreed. “Homemade… only way to go.”

“Well, considering your banana bread is the best I’ve ever tasted, and I like banana bread so I’ve tried a lot, then you aren’t wrong,” I informed him and his goofy grin nearly split his face. “Though, I won’t be able to try the Mayo Moist Factor Five Hundred because I live at the hotel and don’t have a kitchen but when I get set up, I’ll do it and let you know.”

Both of them stared at me and then the girl asked, “Why do you live at the hotel?”

“I just moved here,” I explained. “Just started waitressing at Bubba’s and haven’t really had time to settle in yet.”

“Come over for dinner,” the guy invited instantly.

“Sorry?” I asked.

“Yeah, tonight,” the girl put in. “Shambala makes unbelievable veggie chili and it’s chili night.”

“Shambala?” I asked and the guy stuck his hand over the counter.

“I’m Shambala,” I shook his hand, he let mine go and the girl stuck her hand over the counter so I took it and Shambala went on. “This is Sunray Goddess but I call her Sunny.”

I shook her hand and said, “Well, um… hi Shambala and Sunny. I’m –”

“Flower Petal,” Sunny cut in and touched her finger to her earlobe and then to her wrist. “All flowery. I like!”