“Franny,” Leo said. It seemed the dumbest thing he could say, and yet it escaped his mouth before he could stop it. “Franny.” It came out again. Precious the dog wiggled all over with pure delight as Franny knelt to scratch behind her ears. “Hi, sweetie,” Franny said. “It’s so good to see you, too.” … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 96 Reboot

Franny unlocked her apartment door and was greeted by the fresh scent of lemons. After being away teaching in Mexico, and then spending a week with old friends back in Seattle, she’d expected a musty, stuffy apartment. But Kassandra, the barista who lived next door, had kept the place sparkling. A note on the counter … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 95 Reboot

Winter took hold of Pine Street and its denizens in fits and starts. Early snow, then moderate weather; a white Christmas, ice storms in January and February. Franny took an assignment teaching a course in central Mexico, where she spent a little over three weeks learning about avoiding the local water, dealing with altitude sickness, … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 94 Reboot

The screech of brakes and a honking horn jolted Leo out of his thoughts. No, the car hadn’t nearly hit him. It was braking and honking to avoid a big black Jeep making a late left turn. Leo only caught a glimpse of the Jeep driver, and had an even briefer flash of possible recognition. … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 93 Reboot

While David, the Pine Street newcomer, was making another creepy first impression, Leo was walking. He walked in the sloppy snow, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and gloves, both quickly soaked through. At least I thought to put on my boots, or else my feet would be wet too. Leo was in one of his moods, … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 92 Reboot

The first customer that morning, the one Kassandra smiled and welcomed even though he arrived half a minute before the coffee shop truly opened, was a tall, angular young man she did not recall serving before. A new neighbor, she pondered, or someone passing through? The young man brushed wet snow off his jacket and … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 91 Reboot

Kassandra greeted her coffee shop co-worker with a smile and wave, shaking herself back to the present moment. Winter had begun, the conversation with her parents about her future receded into the past, and she focused on the tasks that would earn her money for rent and tuition. She set up the first pots of … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 90 Reboot

After Kassandra parted ways from Franny and Precious, sending them further on their walk, she ducked in the back door of the coffee shop. Kassandra loved being the first one there, loved the last few moments of quiet before her coworkers and the customers created their happy whirl of activity and noise. In that moment, … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 89 Reboot

Some years, fall drifts gently into winter. Skies darken earlier each evening, temperatures cool, and the first frosty morning gathers the attention, and mild grief, of gardeners. This year was different. Autumn’s golden afternoons were replaced suddenly with an early snowfall, blanketing the ground in November. Comparing notes with the old-timers, denizens of Pine Street … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 88 Reboot

Allison listened to Leo’s explanation when he called to say he’d miss dinner. A clogged drain at a friend’s place, or something like that, and she reassured him she had plenty to eat on her own. She wanted to remind him to go to Franny, but figured that was up to Leo. She planned to … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 87 Reboot