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

Although Leo had a hot plate, crock pot, and microwave in his basement apartment, more often than not he ate dinner upstairs with Allison. She was becoming an excellent cook in her own right, and Leo loved whipping up large, substantial, and highly spiced meals. Breakfast-for-dinner was a specialty of his, typically resulting in large … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 86 Reboot

This was not how they’d planned it. Douglas’s PSA test had come back showing advanced prostate cancer, a concerning but not terrifying diagnosis, given the high rates of recovery with good treatment. Marilyn had insisted they get married. Douglas’s professional life had left him with a substantial retirement account but, at the moment, no health … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 85 Reboot