Excerpt of All of Me by Heatherly Bell

When Em walked away, Ivey couldn’t help but ask. “What
blue ribbon?”

The menu suddenly seemed of deep interest to Jeff, a man
who by his account should have it memorized. “After we
broke up, some of the business people in town took sides.
Those who liked me hung blue ribbons in their
establishment. Those who liked you put up pink ones.”

He looked so serious, and that’s what kept her from
laughing. “Is that supposed to be a joke? I’d forgotten
about your weird sense of humor.”

He continued reading the menu as if it were a medical
journal. “Mr. Peterson put up a blue ribbon, but that was
before Em bought the place. She took it down.”

“Aunt Lucy mentioned something about people taking sides,
but I thought she was exaggerating as usual.” Blue and
pink ribbons? Had the whole town gone mad together?

“How many pink ribbons were there?” It would be nice to
know who her real friends were.

He met her eyes. “I didn’t count. I thought it was as
ridiculous as you do.”

“But Mr. Peterson had a blue ribbon. He always liked you
better.”

“You were the one who used to practically sit in my lap
every time we were here.”

Ivey felt flushed at hearing the truth stated so matter-
of-factly. Even if Jeff had never protested the seating
arrangements. “Mr. Peterson was a misogynist.”

“Everyone’s over it now. But I wouldn’t go into the
hardware store on Main Street.”

Ivey let out a deep sigh. Everyone had held it against
her for leaving town for a man she met online, but it had
turned out to be the best place to find a fake boyfriend.

Em came and took their orders. Without the menu, Jeff
turned his full attention on Ivey. “So how’s lover boy?
John, was it?”

“Joe.” Why couldn’t anyone get his name right? Even
imaginary fictional characters deserved a little respect.

“Are you sure?” Jeff narrowed his eyes. “I’m pretty sure
it was John.”

“Thanks, but I think I know the name of my ex-boyfriend
better than you do.”

“Ex?”

Ivey played with the edge of her napkin. “It didn’t work
out. Next subject.”