“I expanded it a couple of years ago to add the used book section.” It’d been three years since his last visit to San Diablo. Normally, I drove an hour and a half to his place in Sacramento.
I’d always known my dad was proud of me but having him praise me while drinking coffee in my café made it more special.
“Ah, yes. It’s the books that are new. I’ll have to bring Jackie to see it.”
“That would be nice.” I reached across the table and put my hand on his arm. “I miss you, Dad. I wish we could see each other more often. I know Makayla feels the same.” I couldn’t include Jackie, because I’d be lying and he’d know it.
Last Christmas, Jackie gushed all over Steve the whole day.My baby boy this, and my baby boy that. It was sickening. I’d left early since Makayla wasn’t there. She’d spent the holidays with our mom.
“You’re always welcome to come for a visit too, you know. We’d love to have you.”
I smiled and lowered my gaze to my cup. “Maybe once I hire an assistant manager. It’s hard to get away when it’s always me at the café.”
“I suppose. You could hire your brother. Maybe it would give him a purpose.” He winked.
“Dad, be serious.” I rolled my eyes.
“What? He’s family and trustworthy.”
“Is he? You know he’s always with those bikers. I don’t know what kind of connections he’s been making.” I honestly didn’t want to go down this road, but my dad started it.
My brother was a spoiled man-child. He had some good qualities, like an easy-going attitude, and he loved his family.
But Steve never held a job long term or went to college. He mostly lived off money my dad and Jackie gave him, and side hustles.
“I always liked Chris, so if Steve is around him, I approve.”
“Would you like a refill?” I stood, hoping to change the subject.
“Sure.” He handed his mug to me. “Why did you and Chris break up?”
“Dad, what does it matter? That was a lifetime ago.” And we hadn’t been boyfriend and girlfriendthatlong anyway.
“Just asking. You both seemed madly in love.”
“We were kids. What did we know about love?” I filled our mugs and put a few more oatmeal raisin cookies, that I’d baked earlier today, on a plate.
Sure, some high school sweethearts married right after graduation and lived a long life together. Maybe that could have been us, but after my brother’s accident, I could never forgive Chris…Slay. Or myself.
“You both had that spark. The it-factor. I really thought you’d end up together.”
“Well, we didn’t.” I carried the mugs and cookies back to the table. Just as I was about to set them down, a knock on the glass door startled me and I almost spilled the coffee everywhere.
“Who could that be?” Dad asked.
“I don’t know, but we’re closed.” I squinted trying to make out who was knocking. And knocking. And knocking. Talk about persistence.
The café closed at seven, and it was nearly eight. It couldn’t have been one of my regulars because they knew when I was open.
“Want me to check it out?” Dad asked.
Suddenly, I made out who was the knocker. “Oh! No, I got it. It’s my new friend, Alek.” I went to the door to let him in. “He’s Russian.”
“Russian? Interesting,” Dad said.
I unlocked the door and swung it open. “Alek, how are you?”
“Good. I saw the light on and thought you were open.”
