Meatball Subs

Part 2

The next morning after taking Eclipse to buy sweets with her earnings and getting food that would last them at least a week, Equinox went to Hoefler's to start the day. Equinox prepared the food as Hoefler talked to him from his bed. His breathing was less ragged than the previous night. Equinox asked if anyone else had answered the help wanted poster at the postal office. Hoefler shook his head, though he sounded hopeful they'd get someone soon. When Equinox opened the stand, he still had less customers than he was expecting. The new stand must still be stealing business.

Throughout the rest of the day he heard more talk from his customers of the new lasagna serving man. His customers slowly dwindled until he had almost none throughout the evening. His curiosity turned to annoyance. He couldn't keep providing for Eclipse if this continued.

Most of his sandwiches had gone cold, so he wrapped them up and brought them inside, again having an abundance of leftovers.

Hoefler sat up groggily, eyeing the food with confusion. "Bad day, huh?"

"Some new cart's arrived in town and is serving lasagna. They're stealing our business."

"Ah, more competition. Don't stress about it too much. We get to enjoy these leftovers. Take some sandwiches home with you tonight, Ex. Has your sister ever had a meatball sandwich before?"

"Thank you. And no, she hasn't. I'm sure she'll love it."

Equinox prepared the next day's bread and left Hoefler for the night. Eclipse was ecstatic to have a meatball sandwich, and devoured it immediately. Their mother was absent from the hut. While eating, Equinox noticed Eclipse's bruises and scab were gone. He smiled to himself. Of the two of them, he was glad she had magic, because somehow she had learned to heal herself. It made Equinox's desire for her to be in a good school stronger. He wanted her in a safe environment, learning about her gift, rather than at home, where it was stolen and sold. He couldn't keep leaving her with their mother, if she was home. He could barely leave the hut every morning without guilt and worry gnawing his insides. He stored the leftover sandwiches in the underground cabinet. They were sure to have plenty of food for a while now. He might have enough cash to replace Eclipse's frock.

When he opened the stand the next day he had only one customer: Dr. Faustus.

"Good morning, Ex. How is Don?"

"I think he's on the mending side now," he responded. He layered cheese on the 12 inch sandwich.

"Good. I've come with some news. I'm sure you've heard about the lasagna stand?"

"I have, we're losing business to it."

"You might be losing all business. The stand is booming."

"Don said not to worry. I trust him."

"I do, too, but I think the lasagna stand is here to stay. I haven't tried any myself, I prefer a good meatball. But just be prepared. Here's an extra tip."

Dr. Faustus took his sandwich and dropped some extra leaflets into the jar. Equinox waved him goodbye. Without any customers to keep him busy he made another sandwich and brought it to Hoefler, telling him everything Dr. Faustus said. Hoefler still seemed unconcerned.

Around late afternoon, before the dinner rush, something wheeled around the corner onto the street. Equinox payed no attention, checking on the meatballs in the oven. The cart wheeled itself into a particularly bright spot on the street, directly opposite Equinox.

"Hello, competition! You don't mind if we set up here, do you? We wanted a new selling spot," said a strange voice.

Equinox gave him an indifferent gesture. The person who addressed him was tall, wearing a long, fashionable coat. He had a long, pointed nose, dark eyes, and a smile that didn't seem to fit his face. There was a shorter person walking around and setting up the stand. Their short golden hair was tied in a ponytail, hairs slipping out into their face. They were roughly his age. The assistant waved their arms, and an oven was put together like a puzzle. He knew little about magic, but he concluded the assistant had an earth talent. The taller man stood and merely watched as the assistant began to make large trays of lasagna.