4 YEARS LATER
THROUGH ADAM''S EYES
Savamente!
Bésame otra vez
Que yo quiero sentir tus labios,
besándome otra vez!
Boom now the song is stuck in your head, as it should. It''s a classic, will stay a classic after you die, and will be played at weddings for all the drunk tios and tias to sloppy dance.
It''s the perfect song to clean my Cafe, too. Well, Cafe slash Bodega. I like to have a balance of both. For those who don''t know and trust in Austin, Texas, there are plenty who don''t know; a Bodega is if a gas station and a neighborhood Walmart did the fusion dance. So my place is if a Cafe and a Bodega used the Patoka warnings. If you get what I am saying, I love you.
I call it Llama Latte. My own business, my own slice of the pie, my.... Come up with your own third analogy. I expected this place to be packed as a music festival is happening nearby, but the raging storm outside made sure to kill that idea. So now I am sweeping the floor and singing to my broom until....
RING RING RING
My cell is going off on the counter. I rush over and pick it up. I don''t even need to look at the screen to see who it is.
ADAM
Yea, storms got me trapped here, baby. Either way, I was going to be here all night... yeah, I wanted to spend time with you too... No, I love you more.
I hear a sound ring, but this one is coming from the front door, accompanied by a woman''s voice.
MARCY
Excuse me.
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Four people rush inside, leaving my door open two seconds long and letting in some rain. I would soon learn their names, and instead of dragging it out, how about I tell you their names all in one go.
They all look around twenty-ish, maybe early twenties for sure. First up is the one talking to me, Marcy. She has hazel skin with curly hair, a leather jacket with ripped jeans, and the t-shirt of a band that was supposed to perform at the concert. "Titan Tears."
Next to her is a cute woman dressed in a long skirt with a slit, the same shirt as Marcy, and her hair cut short.
Last and most intimidating of all is Lou. He is a Latino man with short hair and a fresh cut. He has on a Jean jacket, a gray shirt, and black jeans with his boots. While everyone is shivering cold from the rain, he is comfortable. He has a big smile on his face. In fact, he is the most soaked of them all.
None of them have umbrellas or hoodies, which makes sense as the storm caught us off guard. Coming in soaking wet is Manny. He is in a button shirt, corduroy pants, and running sneakers. His glasses are stylish, but if I''m being honest, he doesn''t look comfortable, I''m it. It''s like he is being forced to dress up.
He runs up to Kate like an obedient puppy. Marcy stands in front of my counter, my eyes following the droplets falling from her hair onto my freshly wiped counters. I don''t hang up my car.
MARCY
Do you have any coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate?
ADAM
All that.
She addresses the group, who are all wondering about my store. Lou is looking at the snacks on the counter. Manny is following Kate like a little puppy. Kate is the only one looking at Marcy as they reply.
MARCY
What are you guys feeling?
LOU
Hot Chocolate.
MANNY
Earl Grey, please.
KATE
I''ll have whatever you get, Marcy.
Marcy turns to me to repeat everything, but I interject before she can speak.
ADAM
Don''t worry, I heard what they said.
My eyes fixate on the rain droplets falling off their jackets and onto my clean floors. They are spread out all over the store, hitting every corner. I cover the phone as I yell.
ADAM
You''re getting my floors wet!
Lou''s smile disappears, and an annoyed glare hits me. I won''t let it get to me, as this is my store, and that''s what matters. Marcy jumps in and takes control gently.
LOU
It''s not like we want to, man.
MARCY
Do you have a place where we can put our coats?
I point to the small group of tables I have in thecorner and let them know the back of the chairs will work. I will have to mopthe store when they leave anyway, but now the mess will be isolated to onearea.