“No problemo. Let me know if you need anything else, Mina.” He says as he walks back toward the counter. Fuck!
He stops and spins back toward us when he realizes he just fucked up. He said my real name…Well, part of it. It’s what I go by with friends.
“Shit,” he huffs under his breath as he quickly walks away.
“So…You’re real name’s Mina?”
It’s fine. He’s not a regular client. I probably won’t even see him after tonight, so what’s the issue with him knowing my name?
“Yeah.”
“It’s beautiful,” he says as he takes a bite.
The biscuits are freshly made. The warm scent of butter and baked dough is delicious. The gravy is made with bacon and sausage. It’s thick with a hint of maple syrup. It’s so good. It’s one of the only things I get here. I’m going to miss it when I leave.
“Fuck. Still just as good as it was twenty years ago,” Myles says as he takes another bite.
Twenty years ago…
“So, is Mina short for something?” he asks as he stabs the scrambled eggs. The cheese stretches, then finally breaks.
Fuck it.
“It’s short for Lumina.”
Myles stops. The fork is at his lips. His mouth is open,and his eyes are wide as he stares at me. The fork drops to the table, making me jump.
“Fuck. I…” Myles stands quickly. His knee hits the table and rocks it. The coffee sloshes and spills a bit, but his orange juice topples over, spilling everywhere.
“Shit.” I quickly grab napkins and try to clean up the spill. It’s dripping off the table, onto the booth and the floor.
“Sorry. Here.” He tosses a fifty dollar bill on the table. “I gotta go!”
He takes off toward the door before I can even get out of the booth.
“Myles, wait!”
“No. I’m sorry. I just remembered I have to…I have to go.”
“At least let me take you back to your car.”
“No!” he snaps.
Mark comes running from the back, confused and looking like he is ready to fight. As if he could hold his own against a guy like Myles. He looks like he could snap his neck with one hand.
“Sorry, Lu…Mina…Fuck!”
He leaves. The wind catches the door and slams it shut.
“What the fuck was that about?” Mark asks me as he brings over a mop and paper towels.
“I don’t know…” I take the roll of paper towels and begin to soak up the coffee and orange juice.
“Did he try something, and you shot him down?” Mark laughs as he pulls the booth out to mop underneath.
“No…I just told him my name.”
CHAPTER 8
