Many people took their coffees and pastries to go, while others made themselves comfortable in the lobby. A handful of men in suits sat at the high-top table, talking and pointing to the stock ticker running across the bottom of the TV screen on the wall. This location was our only one with a TV. Dad and I thought we might get more business clientele here, and a TV with business news on it would keep customers in the store too.
Business was steady until about ten a.m. There was a very brief lull, which allowed us time to restock shelves and supplies behind the counter and in the lobby. Then the lunch crowd began pouring in.
“So, are you still glad we didn’t pick Riverside as a location?” Dad asked as he stood beside me.
I laughed and nodded. The mere mention of Riverside was enough to make the brick in my stomach shift a little. Every time Elise’s name or Riverside was brought up, I felt sick. I looked out of the window on the opposite side of the store where the parking lot was. One of my dad’s few friends was slowly getting out of his car. He hobbled to the sidewalk using his cane. My dad left my side to go greet him. I was talking to some customers, when I heard a familiar voice.
“Excuse me. Is this coffee any good?”
I swung around, and Ali stood there with Sam.
“Hey!”
“Eeek! Oh my God, Andrew!” She flung her arms around me. “The business is crazy!” Ali screeched in my ear.
“Congratulations, Andrew.” Sam offered his hand and as I clasped it to shake, he stepped closer to reach around and pat my back a few times.
“Thank you for coming. Are you off today?” I asked Sam.
“Yes. We wanted to pop in and say hello.”
“And I wanted an iced coffee and a new Three Brothers Coffee mug. Josh said he’d be by after his shift.”
“I’ll look for him later.”
I talked to Ali and Sam for a while, and not too long after they had left, James came in.
“So, what can I interest you in today?” I teased James as he shook my hand and hugged me briefly.
“How about that handsome, six-feet-tall, coupon distributor,” James said under his breath. His eyes hadn’t left Brandon since he’d entered the shop.
I pretended I didn’t know he was talking about Brandon. His pup had been here with me since four this morning, so I knew James was going to take Brandon home with him.
“Hmm, the masochist?”
“That’s the one,” James played along. “How’s the grand opening?”
“It’s been unbelievable. We couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Brandon walked over to us, and I could tell by the look in James’s eye that he couldn’t
wait to touch Brandon. He slipped his hands in his pockets as his eyes roamed Brandon’s body.
“Have you been helping, pup?”
“Yeah, I’ve been working a lot, huh, Andrew?”
“Brandon has been most helpful. He’s greeted, passed out our flier for specials, cleaned tables, restocked shelves. His energy level is amazing. I don’t ever recall being as energetic as he is when I was his age.”
“Mmm, his energy is something. He doesn’t even require coffee. If you had fed him coffee, he probably could work for you nonstop for a few days.”
“I never thought about that. I should have given him coffee and gone home for a nap.”
“Well, I’ll take him home and wear him out. Ready, pup?”
“Yes, I’m ready, James.” Brandon looked at me and then turned to look around the busy lobby. “Unless you need me to stay and help.”
