Bricks

Chapter 2: Diet Bring

The smell of coffee and the clatter of cups on saucers greets my nose and ears like an eager golden retriever to a returning soldier when I make my way into the dimly lit, ever so slightly moist building with shadows gently splashing along the worn wooden walls. They rise, like the souls of the damned as they try to escape their eternal resting place.

"What would you like to order?",  the man at the counter inquires with that smooth voice only baristas seem to have. He's about 6 feet tall, with blond locks and viridian orbs with a mischievous twinkle.

"Iced Americano. Black," I state.

"Really? No milk or sugar?" he inquires inquisitively, taking in my soft voice and small frame.

I giggle. It's true, you'd expect someone who looks like me to want something sweet, but I'm not like most people who look like me. "Really."

The blond shrugs and puts in my order. I fish my wallet out of my bag, count out what I need to pay him, and get my receipt.

While I'm waiting for my coffee, I people watch. I see a crimson headed woman sipping a cappuccino, a young couple on a date, and a matured man reading the newspaper. Across the shop, emerging from behind a large blond man wearing sunglasses I see a small dude. He's small in stature but intriguing.

We lock eyes and he waves energetically to me. It's my best friend, Julian. We were planning to meet here today, but I didn't see him come in.

"Heeyyyyy!!" He greets me enthusiastically.

"Julian!" I return his enthusiasm and give him a hug. "I didn't see you come in."

"Oh yeah, I came in the back entrance. And how is my bestieeeee?"

The golden-haired barista places both my plain black coffee and Julian's white chocolate raspberry whip on the counter.

"Thanks," I thank sincerely.

"No problem," he responds with a sultry wink.

"So, Jules," I ask as we make our way to the smooth sanded surface of a table in the back corner of the shop, "What's been up lately?"

"Ooh, you know," he says as he perches on the chair and licks some raspberry whipped cream off his straw. He runs a hand through his tousled chestnut locks. "Spring break, the ushe"

He's got some whipped cream on the tip of his nose. The fluffy white substance makes him look like a reverse Rudolph.

"Haha, Julian you slop," I smile with a grin as I take my napkin and gently wipe the cream off his nose, "What would you do without me?"

The dark haired boy giggles and flops his wrist. "Dre, you're always such a mom-friend. So busy taking care of others you forget to take care of yourself." His fabulous smile darkens somewhat. "Speaking of which, how is it with your dad?" He lowers his eyes and voice. "Your voice seems a little raspy today."

Yup. He knows me. "It was a bad morning. Most days he only makes me eat fragments. On some days nothing! But yeah, today it was a whole one." I touch my hand to my neck as I speak, the ghost of a sting drawing its way up the space inside.

"I really am sorry. Girl, I'm telling you, call CPS, they might be able to-"

I cut him off. "Julie, you know I couldn't do that to him. He might be a loony old brick-bag but I don't want him rotting in the psych ward."

"Aw come on, Dre-"

"It's fine. I know you're looking out for me, I just... I'm gonna go to the bathroom."

I stand up and hustle out of the area before he can see me wiping the tears that are rising out of my eyes. I know I'm just silly for crying, but it's just a lot. In fact, I'm so busy wiping the tears away that I don't notice the man in front of me.