Eddie’s sweet shop

Owen stopped searching after a while. He thought he had seen someone he knew but was mistaken. He held his four-year-old son and walked out of the park.

“The woman you bumped into, what did she look like?” He asked his son, Tyler.

“She was pretty, and she had black hair.” Tyler childishly explained and Owen sighed. He couldn't blame him for not giving a precise description. He was just four.

He held Tyler’s hand and walked to his car.

“What took you so long? I saw you searching for something in there.”

His wife Rebecca said to him after he entered the car. She sat in the front seat with their little daughter, Darla. Darla was almost a year old.

“I thought I saw someone,” Owen responded, starting the car.

“Is it her?”

Owen heaved a sigh and looked at Rebecca.

“Why would you even think about that?”

“I don't know, I should ask you that. Since we got into Manhattan, you have been acting differently.”

“Rebecca, please don't. It’s almost a year since I set my eyes on her.”

“Well, maybe you would love to see her again,” Rebecca mumbled and Owen shook his head.

“You try to pick up a fight from the slightest thing.”

“What did you expect, hun? Why did you want us to bring the children to the place you had an affair? Are you trying to dig up memories? Or who knows, meet with her!”

“Rebecca, shut up!” Owen barked.

Darla was startled In fright and began to cry.

“I hate you.” Rebecca cursed under her breath as she patted Darla so she could stop crying.

Owen looked at Tyler, and he saw fright on his face too.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled as he drove.

“I don't want your apology. Your children are seeing everything. How you are treating their mother.”

Rebecca’s voice shook as she talked. She was close to tears.

She hated Stephanie so much for causing problems in her marriage. She always said their marriage was the perfect one until Owen started having an affair.

She found out about his affair a night he traveled home and fell asleep before switching off his phone. Stephanie called him very late at night and Rebecca answered the phone out of curiosity. She had always suspected him.

“Rebecca, I said I'm sorry.”

Rebecca kept her gaze on the road and pretended like she didn't hear what he said.

***

Sebastian parked his car in front of an ice cream shop named, Eddie's sweet shop. Princess smiled widely and waited for Sebastian to open the door for her. Her mouth was beginning to water.

“So this is your No.1?” Stephanie asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Trust me, it's worth it. It was founded in 1925, and it was believed to be the best ice cream parlor in New York. I believe it is still the best up till now.”

“I can't wait to taste it. You are praising it more than normal.”

“I still can't believe you don't know the older ice cream parlor in New York.”

Sebastian chuckled and switched off his car engine. He opened the door and stepped out of the car.

He rushed to the other side of the car before Stephanie opened the door, and he opened the door for her.

“You didn't have to. I got it.”

“I wanted to.”

He opened the back door and carried Princess, who already stretched out her hands to him.

“The shop is big.” Princess stared into the shop through the glass.

“I think she would forsake her family and go home with you. When did she meet you, and she is so clingy already?”

“She knows I am a good man, and that is why her spirit works with mine perfectly.”

Stephanie creased her brows, and Sebastian burst into laughter.

“I was just joking, okay?”

He headed for the door, and Stephanie walked behind him.

As soon as they got into the shop, Stephanie’s jaw dropped in amusement. The inner beauty of the shop swept her off her feet.

To their left was a long marble counter with wood-topped swivel stools. Along the wall behind it was an elaborate wood built-in with mirrors and slots for printed cards bearing the names of the ice cream flavors they had. The cream flavors written on them were butter pecan, maple walnut, cherry vanilla, vanilla fudge, and many more.

On a ledge were large glass jars that held syrups, an ancient-looking green metal machine for making malts and milkshakes, and an enameled refrigerator.

Stephanie looked up and saw the ceiling was made of pressed Tin. A chandelier also extended down the ceiling.

“What do you think?”

Sebastian had noticed Stephanie was lost in the beauty of the shop.

“This... Is amazing. There are more people than expected.”

Sebastian chuckled at her statement, and he lowered himself so that Princess could climb down.

“Can I take a look please?”

Princess pointed to a large glass-fronted wood case filled with sweets and toys. This candy case sat opposite the counter.

“Yes, you can. But don't go too far.” Stephanie warned. Princess bounced her head happily and hurried to the candy case. Her mouth fell open after taking a closer look at the goodies in it. She traced her fingers on them and Sebastian chuckled.

“Tell me anything you want from there. I’d get it for you.”

Princess heard Sebastian talk, but she was too carried away to respond. She wanted to carry the whole candy case home.

“And you, beautiful? Which would you love to taste first? Here are the lists of ice cream flavors...” He pointed to the printed cards in a glass, showing them to Stephanie.

“And here...” He picked up the menu and passed it to her.

“... contains more interesting appetizers than you can ever imagine.”

“Hmm.”

Stephanie collected the menu from him and scrolled through it. She was so surprised to see a very long list of what she could have. She got very confused.

On the menu, she saw Ice cream flavors, Eddie’s toppings, Syrups, sundaes, and drinks.

“Almost everything, I don't know the one to pick. Help me...”

She gave the menu back to Sebastian, who had a large grin on his face.

“I have always loved Sundaes,” Sebastian said as he ran his index finger on the menu.

“I would have two banana splits, please.”

The man dressed in a uniform and apron behind the counter nodded and collected the menu from Sebastian.

“You have had one of those before?” Stephanie asked Sebastian as they walked back to where Princess was. She was still busy feeding her eyes.

“I had it once. The first time I visited New York. An elderly woman in the shop that day told me it was her favorite, so I decided to try it. And trust me, I loved it.”

“There are so many sweets, Sebastian! The Airhead candy is my favorite.”

Princess kept staring into the candy case as she spoke.

“We’ll get you one then. But, you would have some ice cream too. What flavor do you want?”

“Anyone! Stephanie knows my favorite.”

Sebastian turned his head to look at Stephanie, and she folded her hands under her breasts. She rolled her eyes at Princess and looked at him.

“She prefers the Maple Walnut.”

“I’ll order that. You should sit.” Sebastian pointed at an empty stool. Stephanie nodded and sat on the stool. She placed her bag on the counter and kept watching Princess.

“You are lucky to have a man that brings you here in your life.”

Stephanie heard a voice behind her. She looked back and saw an old-looking woman sitting next to her. She had a milkshake in front of her.

“What do you mean?” Stephanie smiled feebly. She felt uncomfortable and confused.

“A man that brings you here and orders what you are going to have is blessed, and he loves you so much. I have been watching you two since you came in. Your chemistry is so beautiful.”

Stephanie and the old woman looked at Sebastian, who was busy talking to the seller. He wasn't aware they were looking at him, talkless of talking about him.

“You are mistaken, Ma’am. He is a friend, nothing more.”

The old woman chuckled and bounced her head slowly.

“He is a good man, child. He chose the best sundae for you.”

“This doesn't make him a good man.” Stephanie looked away as she spoke. Princess rushed to Sebastian and tapped him. He looked at her, and a large smile crept up his face.

He lowered himself and moved his ear to her mouth. She covered his ear with her small chubby hands and whispered something in his ear.

“He is the perfect man.” The old woman said. Stephanie kept mute and gazed at him and Princess.

“He...”

Stephanie looked back and stopped talking abruptly. The old woman was gone. She stood up and scanned the shop with her eyes but couldn't find the old woman.

“Are you okay?” Sebastian asked, and she gulped.

“Yes,” She let out a feeble smile as she thought about what the woman said.

“Where did she go?”