“So what will it be today, Billy? Let’s see, you and tweedle-dee both enjoy your regular ham and cheese paninis, but no pesto for you and no tomato for Mark, the Chief is more of a full, hearty Turkey Club kind of guy, am I right? Maria likes her combo, soup and salad...” I put my finger to my chin and tap it. “Am I forgetting anyone?” I challenge, and I swear he breaks out into a sweat.
He grabs the back of his neck. “Come on, Tris. Don’t make me go back there without the Captain’s orderagain.He’s been a total nightmare this month. I don’t know what happened between you two, but he’s making us all pay for it. Including himself. The guy is walking around as if someone kicked him in the... well, you know.”
“Maybe someone should,” Rory mutters from beside me.
Ainsley steps up to the counter and smiles at Billy, who instantly relaxes at the sight of her. “Sorry, Billy. Until your Captain mans up and comes in here himself, that’s the order. Take it or leave it.”
We all wait for Billy to accept his fate. He eventually does, pays, and walks out with his head down. Levi’s crew hasn’t come into the cafe once since that night, and so we girls have formed a solid pact. If Levi wants his food, he’s going to have to come and get it himself.
Another week goes by, and still, Billy and Mark take turns picking up the lunch order. I’m surprised at this rate that they don’t go somewhere else, but I guess they’re determined to wear me down. Tough luck. I might not be the Evil Ice Queen they all remember, but I sure as hell am not all sunshine and rainbows. This is one standoff I’m not backing down from.
As we prepare for Labor Day weekend and for the wind-down of the summer tourists, the cafe gets even busier with customers bustling in and out, orders flying. Ainsley freshens up all the plants that hang from the walls, and I add our new sign right above Ms. Dot’s favorite table.
“It’s perfect,” she says, squeezing my hand.
To everyone’s great delight, I’ve finally learned how to work the cappuccino machine, and now it’s my favorite cup to make. Every small success feels like a giant step in the right direction.I’m smiling at one of our usual patrons from behind the register as they pay their bill when the door chimes. As they walk away, I look toward the door, ready to greet the next guest and completely freeze instead as my stomach drops. Rory catches my gaze and follows it toward the door, and I can see in my peripheral vision that Ainsley’s posture straightens.
“Who’s that?” Rory whispers.
“Hello, Princess,” my father says as he walks up to the counter, dressed in a freshly pressed fitted suit.
My mother follows beside him, her arm wrapped around and placed lightly on top of his. She looks made up and put together, not a single hair out of place. From her spot beside him, she takes in the cafe around her and looks down her nose at it and everyone she sees.
“Oh, Thomas, look at this place. She’s a waitress, for God’s sake. We must get her out of here as soon as possible,” my mother says in a hushed voice just loud enough to offend anyone within earshot.
My jaw grinds as anger shoots through me at her words, pride for the Cozy Pines Cafe sneaking its way up and into my chest. This cafe may not belong to me, but it’s mine, and it’s been here for me in a way that neither of them has this year.
“Actually, Mother, I’m a barista,” I correct her with a fake and forced smile, months of untapped attitude rising to the surface. My heart rate spikes in my chest, and my posture stiffens.
My mother’s gaze sweeps over me and lands on Rory. I step in quickly, shielding her from a glare that, while punishing to others, has long since ceased to bother me.
I sigh and pick a piece of lint from my shirt in an effort to show that I’ve grown bored and tired of their judgments, despite the protective rage I feel swirling inside. “I didn’t realize prison allowed field trips, Father. And to think, you’ve decided to grace me with your presence... how fortunate am I.”
My mother bristles, like I knew she would, while my father takes my attitude in stride. “Now, Princess, let’s put the claws away. Your mother and I only wish to share with you the good news.”
I look behind them to where a line is forming, and look to Rory.
“Go,” she says, reassuring me.
“Fine, then share whatever news you have over here.” I point to a table and head over to it.
My mother sits down like she’s afraid she might catch something.
“Careful, Mother. In case you forgot, the DuPonce’s own this cafe, and I don’t think they’d take too kindly to your current assessment of it.”
That straightens her right out. As if the name of money attached to this place changes everything. “This place is very charming, the more that I take it in.”
I roll my eyes as her mannerisms change immediately, and she predictably changes her tune.
“What is this about?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
“Your father has come home.”
“Home?” I ask, my brows shooting down in confusion.
“I’ll be staying with your mother at her friend’s lake house until my trial, but after I’m proven innocent, we’ll regain everything that’s been so wrongfully taken from us. Including your apartment in the city and our houses, our Thorne Lake House especially.”
“How is this even possible?”
