The Postman Always Purls Twice by Anne Canadeo Page B

asked.
    â€œMy dad was career military. We lived all over. I came back to the West Coast for college because I like the weather so much. I studied education, but I couldn’t find a teaching job. I volunteer with kids when I can, though. It’s very rewarding.”
    â€œGood for you.” Maggie smiled at her. “There are so many ways to share our knowledge and help others. A person doesn’t need a teaching certificate to do that.”
    â€œBut I bet your experience as a classroom teacher is helpful, here in the knitting shop,” Jennifer said, turning the conversation back to Maggie.
    â€œIt does help most of the time. But maybe some of the time, I’m too instructive.” Maggie shrugged. “I don’t know, ask my friends.”
    All of her friends smiled and rolled their eyes.
    â€œI think ‘bossy’ is the word we’re looking for,” Lucy said quietly.
    â€œLucy . . . you really shouldn’t use the word ‘bossy’ that way,” Suzanne cut in. “It’s like saying it’s all right if a man is assertive and acts with authority. But the same behavior is unattractive or unbecoming for a woman.”
    Phoebe’s head popped up from her sock in progress. “You tell her, Suzanne.”
    â€œExcuse me. Let’s just say she likes things done her own way, at times. Wouldn’t you both agree with that?” Lucy asked.
    Suzanne and Phoebe glanced at each other, then nodded.
    â€œI do, too,” Dana added.
    Maggie laughed. “Guilty as charged, I guess. What can you do?”
    Jennifer sat up straighter in her seat. “Wow, that was fun. So this is what a knitting group is like. I didn’t know what I was missing.”
    Jennifer had more questions and Maggie answered as thoroughly as she could, though it was hard to describe her day and routines exactly. Maggie gave her a quick tour of the shop, showing her how to arrange the stock and displays, ring up a sale, or search for buttons in the big cabinet behind the table.
    â€œI was wondering what you kept in there. I can use that in a scene, sorting through all those buttons. They’re so pretty, too,” Jennifer added.
    â€œWe need a lot of choices on hand. Sometimes you find the perfect match for a sweater right away. Other times, it’s endless,” Maggie explained.
    â€œJust like relationships,” Jennifer replied.
    â€œExactly,” Maggie agreed, appreciating the analogy.
    Despite their enjoyable conversation, her life did sound deadly dull, Maggie realized. The most challenging moment, matching buttons to a project?
    But it was the simple truth.
    Meanwhile, Jennifer Todd seemed to find everything Maggie said utterly fascinating. Was she just trying to flatter her? But for what reason? It wasn’t as if Maggie was a mover and shaker in the film industry. Jennifer was charming, with amazing social skills. That was for sure.
    Jennifer turned from the button cabinet to the knitting group. “I’ve had so much fun at your meeting. I’d love to do something for all of you.”
    Suzanne’s face lit up. Maggie guessed she was thinking an introduction to Heath O’Hara would be the perfect way for Jennifer to show her gratitude. Lunch maybe?
    â€œWould you like to visit the set this week? I thought Thursday night would be a good time. We’re shooting a big scene here, with my character and Trina Hardwick’s. From about seven until who knows when. I know that you didn’t get to see anything Saturday, except a bunch of lights fall down,” she recalled.
    â€œAll of us?” Phoebe asked eagerly.
    Maggie wondered about that, too. She hoped her friends were included. She didn’t want to come without them.
    â€œOf course.” Alicia quickly took out her iPhone. “I’ll put everyone’s name on the security list. Just send me the proper spellings, Maggie.”
    â€œI will do that