I say the words he wants to hear. “Yes. I’ll manage the place while you are gone.”It’s not like I have anywhere else to be.
Cameron thrusts his arms into the air and whoops. A cheer echoes from across the room. I glance to the counter and see Will giving a thumbs up. I guess he’s happy with the news too.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Cameron says. “Greg will be relieved to hear it’s all sorted. He didn’t want me to put too much pressure on you, not after all the crap you’ve been through.”
Immediately my defenses go up. “Oh, no! Don’t you dare do that! I don’t want a pity party—”
“It’s not pity—” I narrow my eyes and throw a glare at Cameron. “Okay, okay,” he says, “but we only want what’s best for you. You deserve to be happy, Felix.”
“I do,” I say, projecting as much confidence in my voice as I can, because IknowI deserve more than what’s come my way lately. “Listen, Cam, I won’t let it beat me. What happened may have left my heart a little bruised and battered, but I’ll recover.”Damn, I hope that’s true!
“You never cease to amaze me.”
I smile. “Yeah, well, enough about me. Tell me more about what’s involved in running this place. Are you sure I’m up to it?” I say, changing the subject.
“Look around.” Cameron indicates the coffee shop with a sweep of his hand. “We’re not exactly doing a roaring trade. Usually there’s just me and Will and a couple of part-timers who work during the busier times.”
I’ve got to admit, now the lunch rush is over, things have quietened. The wooden tables that were previously occupied are now mostly empty, except one table with customers and the one where Cam and I sit near the window. An older lady is waiting for her order at the counter chatting with Will, who’s tinkering with the coffee machine. A few people wander past outside.
“Are things going okay? With the coffee shop, I mean.”
Cam shrugs. “I do okay. To be honest, CC’s is never going to make a fortune, but it’s never been about the money. Sure, I need to pay my bills, but it’s more important to spend my days doing something I love.”
“You love making coffee?”
“Hey, coffee is one of the world’s greatest inventions.” Cam chuckles, then grows serious. “I think you’ll like it here too, Felix.”
I wonder if he means CC’s or the town. I choose to think it’s the coffee shop he’s talking about because I’m not too sure about being back in my hometown. I moved away reluctantly, but my family had grand hopes for me in LA; being back here feels like I’m returning with my tail between my legs. But I shove those thoughts away, focusing back on the present. I’m determined to make the most of the situation—I used to love Collier’s Creek when I was a kid and I’m sure I’ll be fine now I’m back.
“It’s an amazing place, Cam. You’ve done an awesome job. This was the old general store last time I was here. Nothing like the new, bigger one across the street.”
Cam chuckles. “You can’t stop progress even in a small town like Collier’s Creek.”
I glance around the coffee shop. It’s an older building that’s been sympathetically restored. The exposed brick walls add a warmth that complements the wide polished floor boards that bear the signs of age. The counter also bears the patina of years of use, although the espresso machine looks futuristic. I like the furniture with its country cum industrial feel—wrought iron legs and reclaimed timber for the tabletops. Fresh flowers grace each table, and sunlight streams in the wall of windows at the front. The welcoming ambience is enhanced by the aroma of coffee, and the sound of country pop music softy piped through the room. It’s very different to my old place of employment. There everything was bright and modern, the office filled with people and the noise of ringing phones and loud conversation.
Up until recently, I was an executive assistant to the retail buyer at a chain of menswear shops… My mood darkens at the thought of my ex-boss and Cameron must pick up on the change.
He leans forward and places a hand on mine. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but I’m here if you change your mind.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
Cam’s my oldest friend, but that doesn’t mean I’m dumping my shit on him. He’s heard enough of my woes. Besides, I’ve made a pact with myself to get on with things—onward and upward, as they say.
“I mean it,” he says.
“I know you do.” I force a smile. “Now, tell me how this is all going to work.”
Cam gives in and soon we’re talking about rosters, and suppliers, and banking. The more I learn, the more confident I become. I may not have had responsibility for profit and loss before, and my only exposure to making coffee is my basic drip system, but I have enough business experience to feel confident I’ll pick it up quickly.
“Plus, I’ll only be a phone call away,” Cam finishes. “Now let me introduce you properly to Will. You may remember him. He was on the high school football team, and you might have seen him play when you were a kid.”
Will seems as friendly as his earlier grin suggested and welcomes me enthusiastically. We chat a little, and I get the feeling we’ll get along like a house on fire. Thankfully, as it seems we’ll be spending a lot of time together. Now my smile is genuine. Dare I say, I may even be a little excited at the prospect of what the next six months will bring.
AfterpromisingCamI’lljoin him and Greg for dinner, I say a quick farewell to Will. Stepping onto the sidewalk, I turn and look back at the building with fresh eyes—after all, it will be my responsibility soon. No more peeling paint and no more advertising posters plastered over the windows, instead fresh paint and shining glass. Two letter Cs and a coffee cup are emblazoned in one pane and potted trees sit on either side of the door. It’s homey and welcoming.
I bark a laugh when I notice the old timber sign running partway along the length of the facade. It’s the same sign that’s been there for a long as I can remember—or most of the sign, at least. The part where it used to sayGeneral Storeis completely missing. On the section that remains, the red lettering is faded away and only the letter C at the beginning of each word stands out. Those two Cs are the same font as those echoed on the window of the coffee shop. I love Cam’s nod to the past in leaving the original sign. It’s clear why the place is called CC’s but I make a mental note to ask Cam more about it. Collier’s Creek? Cam’s Coffee? Coffee Capers?
I scan the street and memories come flooding back. It’s a small town and I’ve been gone a few years, still I’m surprised that so much looks the same as it did last time I was here. The bookstore doesn’t appear as if it’s changed a bit. I wonder if old Mr. Ellis still owns the place. But as I look further around, I can see a few new stores, evidence of progress. People stroll along the sidewalk, a woman nodding as she passes.
