Piper’s smile was blinding. I left right after, knowing that if I stayed any longer, I would never leave.
After we said our goodbyes, it was tempting to remindmyself of all the reasons I shouldn’t have come over. Instead, I glanced at her door, thinking about what she’d said about forgetting to eat. Plans spun in my mind, ones that stuck around until I got to my house.
By then, I knew what I needed to do. And I pulled out my phone to do the one thing I never thought I would.
I texted Kelsey that I needed the day off.
25
PIPER
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Jackie Anne: @Theo MurfAre you okay? Are you hurt? Why aren’t you at your coffee shop???
Comments:
Kerry Winsor:Wait, he’s not there?
Hu Gh:I knew it. He quit. Kids never take things seriously these days! That’s why I always drink Tammy’s sludge.
Tammy Jane:You wanna reword that, old man?
Hu Gh:Fuck you.
Grace Day:Whoa, maybe we should all calm down.
Hu Gh:NEVER TELL AN OLD MAN TO CALM DOWN!!! I’VE HAD THREE CUPS OF SLUDGE AND I’M READY TO FIGHT.
Henry Connor:@Tammy JaneDo us all a favor and switch him to decaf, please. He’s under doctor’s orders to only have one cup a day.
Hu Gh:THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY! I CAN DO WHAT I WANT!
The next morning,I bounded out of bed, going through my morning routine with vigor. I walked out of the apartment early, eager to see Theo, even if we wouldn’t be talking until far later.
Even the line was short, and I hopped right into it.
That was when I saw that Kelsey was manning the front alone.
Theo was nowhere to be found, but as far as I’d heard, he never took days off. He had to be in the back. I would see him later.
“Hey,” I said when it was my turn.
Kelsey did a double take when she saw me. “Oh, hi. I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“You didn’t?”
“Yeah, I thought ...” She shook her head. “Never mind. Want a drip coffee?”
“Yes, please.” I looked toward the back. “Where’s Theo?”
“Wow, getting right to the point, huh? No asking how I’m doing?”
“I care about how you’re doing! Sorry, I just?—”
“You don’t have to explain.” She smiled, but then it faded. “And Theo isn’t here today.”
I blinked. “What? I thought he didn’t take days off.”
