It's crazy to miss someone after just a couple of hours, right? Especially after we spent the entire weekend attached to each other. In all the ways. Making my own food, showering, and getting myself ready for bed is… Blah. It's boring without Daddy here, but he has a couple of deadlines to take care of and I don't want to get in the way of his job. I get that he's going to be busy at times and he's already given me so much in the time we are together.
I'm just pulling the blanket over me when my phone chimes with an incoming video call. I reach for it where it's charging on my nightstand and smile at Daddy's face on the screen. I answer, flicking on the lamp in the process so he can see me.
"Hey, Daddy." I can't hide the grin at just seeing him. He's also laying in bed. Everything from today melts away and I settle further into my bed as he starts talking.
"You look all cozy," he says. "Did you eat something?" I nod. "Brush your teeth?" I nod again. "Did you miss me today?"
Now he's just fishing for compliments but I give them anyway. "Definitely on that last one. I miss you now."
"That's why I'm calling, baby. I assumed you were exhausted after a long day of working. I was laying here reading. Figured I could read to you until you fell asleep. If you want."
"I'd love that." I mess with propping my phone up just right so I don't have to hold it. After a few moments, it stays and I lay my head back down on the pillow. The pillow that most definitely smells like my Daddy. I'm not ashamed and I hear him laugh when I take a deep breath.
"Are you all snug as a bug?" I smile at the silly saying and close my eyes, letting his voice lull me off to sleep. I don't even know what book he's reading from, but I barely last a minute before I fall asleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Iwakeupalonein bed. Which I knew was going to happen, but it still sucks not having Remi here to pull me out of bed or make breakfast together. I have a good morning text from him and a screenshot of me asleep on the video call last night. It is not an attractive photo.
By the time I get to work, I can tell the day isn't going to go well. The winds last night must have knocked something on the block and the power went out after I left. I don't know how long it was out, either. The freezers are still within the safe zone for temps, but we have to throw out almost everything in the deli fridge and half the milk in the coffee station fridge. I call in an emergency order to our supplier for just the basics to get us through the week until our usual shipment arrives on Friday.
It won't be here until nine at the earliest, leaving us with an hour after opening to hope we don't run out of things. I'm torn between helping Jason with the coffee line and makingsure that Amir is good with getting everyone their pastries and breakfast sandwiches. I apologize at least a hundred times to different customers who are upset they're having to wait longer than normal.
When the order does arrive, I do my best to get everything put away as quickly as I can. Usually, we get our orders during a slower time in the day and I can pull Jason or Amir in to help me. But now, it's a rush to put the cold stuff away, jump on the espresso machine, and make sure that we are ready for the lunch rush. It's a long morning and by the time noon hits, I'm ready for the day to be over.
I take a moment to sit in the office after the lunch rush and check my emails and texts. Remi texted me back, letting me know that all but one couple is able to have a long weekend getaway. The email from the owner is less than ideal. He is upset about having to throw so much out and sent a list of things that need to be done by Friday. He is coming back in Thursday evening to check. This means more paperwork to justify throwing out almost two hundred dollars of supplies and probably late nights the rest of the week.
All three of us are tired by the time we close up. I help both of them as much as I can and get my own chores done before I lock up behind them and go back to the office. I'm giving myself an hour and then heading home. Just one more day before seeing Remi again. I should probably analyze why I'm telling time in Remington visits, but I don't care. The thought of cuddling next to him, playing, not having to make any hard decisions, is enticing.
My phone rings and I expect it to be Remi calling me again like he did last night, but it's my boss. I pick up the phone and press it to my ear.
"Hello?" I open my mouth to ask how he is, but he cuts me off.
"I got three complaints online today," he says. His words are angry and rushed. "Some were complaining that the tables were a mess, the wait line was almost ten minutes for a single coffee. I know we had some issues this morning, but what happened?"
"Exactly that," I say. I keep my voice calm, knowing that stooping to his angry tone isn't a smart choice if I want to keep my job. "We were down an employee today and—"
"You were down an employee yesterday, too, right? Was it the same employee?"
"Yes, sir, but he has a legit—"
"I'm paying him to be there and work," the owner cuts off. I don't know where this is all coming from. I've never had issues with the owner before. He and his wife are usually happy when they come in or when he calls on the phone. This side of him is way off and I want to ask if everything is okay but it isn't my place to do so.
"He said he'll be back in tomorrow. I'll talk to him about it." I already plan to talk to him, to make sure that everything is okay. Not to berate him or make him feel bad for feeling bad. I've had days since starting this job where I had to call out as well. Not many, but I've taken a couple days over the two years I've worked here.
"I'll be there Thursday." The line clicks dead before I can respond. I look over the list of things needing to be done and make my own list of what will take the longest or need more than one person to complete. Then, I try to plan what time during the day each task can be done. It's going to be a stretchand with the colder weather in full swing already, we're getting more traffic in the mornings especially.
"Here's to hoping tomorrow is better," I say to myself and knock my knuckles against the wooden desk. I gather my things and put on my coat and hat before heading outside.
My phone starts ringing once again while I'm walking to the car. Again, I'm disappointed that it isn't my Daddy. He did text me earlier to call him once I got home so he's probably waiting for that. I'll probably call him on my way home. This call, though, is coming from my mother. We don't talk a lot but I expected with the holidays around the corner, I'd be hearing from her sooner than later. I answer the call before it can go to voicemail.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey Austin," she answers simply. She is never one for calling her kids by nicknames or the usual 'sweety' or 'dear' like some of my friends' moms growing up. "How are you?"
"I'm good," I say. I jump into the car and turn the key. Once the car is on, I adjust the heat and relax when it starts to warm up. The walk from the shop to the car isn't long, maybe two minutes at most, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get an early snow this winter. My thoughts go to the trip Daddy is planning for us. Hopefully there's heat in the cabins. "How are you and Dad?"
"We're good, too." The conversation is always stilted like this until one of us gets to the reason for calling. "Are you coming to the Thanksgiving dinner?"
