I didn’t answer him. Instead, I continued to walk to campus and tried to focus on how ghostly it had become. No students bustled or basked on the grassy hill. There weren’t bikes speeding by when I made it to the crosswalk either. The breeze rustled through the trees and through my black maxi dress.
He breathed a sigh into the phone, and I just knew he was running his hands through his hair. How was it that after all this time I could still know that, still see him doing it perfectly?
“You know, normally people talk when they are on the phone with each other.”
“Normally, people talk to the person they called. Not with the person who hijacked the phone.”
“Jay handed me the phone. He’s dead to the world.” I heard the smirk in his voice.
“If you didn’t drag him out every night to party—”
He cut me off. “Pause what you’re about to say, babe. Think about Jay. He parties harder than anyone I’ve ever met. And I’ve met a lot of people. His ass keeps dragging me out.”
“Doubtful.” Why did I sound so childish? I sighed. “Look, could you just make sure Jay meets me at The Corner sometime this morning. I need help studying for this investment class.”
“No problem, Peaches.”
I started to tell him not to call me that but heard him click the phone off before I could.
I stomped the rest of the way to the cafe. When I walked in, The Corner mirrored the ghost town outside. Normally, the bustle of college students made for a ten-minute wait.
Instead, Jackie, my favorite barista, waved me over right away. “Brey! Thank God you’re here. I’m about to fall asleep.”
I laughed as I dropped my book bag on a chair and made my way over to the counter. “Oh please. You probably don’t ever sleep. You’re like a cheetah on speed.”
Her laugh boomed through the empty shop. “You’re right. I have permanent insomnia or some shit. I was up all night trying out this new idea I have for lattes. It will literally blow your mind.” She turned and started up the espresso machine. “You have to try it. Tell me what else it needs. It’s missing something.”
“I probably should just have a coffee, Jackie,” I said half-heartedly.
“Black coffee is boring,” she said over the machine.
She was right and we both knew it. I loved trying out her new inventions. “How’s the new manager like your concoctions?”
“Well, since he didn’t show up again this morning and I had to open, who the hell knows?”
I sighed. “Have you complained? Can’t you just take over?”
She smiled as she started to pour the frothed milk over something she’d mixed. “I wish. I’m too disorganized. Want to come manage us?”
I laughed at her plea and pulled a barstool over to the side counter. The eclectic style of the café allowed customers to sit at a sidebar and watch their coffees being made.
“I’m serious! Don’t laugh. We would be awesome together. You make a damn good cup of coffee already.” She talked like a cheetah on speed too. “You could help me with concoctions. I’d teach you all the rest behind the counter, and you could teach me the business side of it.”
I waved off her idea as she slid the drink over to me to try. Jackie didn’t know I had my sights set on a different business to run.
My mother had given so much back to a little home on the reservation. I avoided it when she passed away but finally pushed myself to go visit after they consistently reached out. I thought I would just go one time, it would be a formal, quick trip. The home was a safe haven for those who didn’t have anywhere else to go a lot of the time. And for me, it became that and more. A way for me to keep my mother’s dreams alive, a way for me to connect to her, a way for me to move toward my future while still connecting with my past.
I wanted to invest well enough to expand that home and help those kids always.
I took a sip, closed my eyes and let the flavors take over. Hints of caramel and pecans accented the bold flavor of cinnamon. The sweet milk reminded me of a chai latte on steroids. I moaned as memories of Christmases and Jax washed over me. The drink was literally a trigger.
When I’d finally swallowed, I opened my eyes. “This is fucking orgasmic, Jackie.”
She beamed. “I made you swear and say ‘orgasmic’ in the same sentence. I knew it was a winner!”
We both jumped when we heard from behind me somewhat of a growl and then, “Sounds good. I’ll take whatever she’s drinking.”
His voice heated my face. Then it heated my body, my core, and my stupid toes too. I looked toward the sky and silently cursed.