Brian flipped the sign so that it showed the word OPEN. Time to start another day, did he really have to stay open for the entire week? He did own this business, why not just edit the work hours? Honestly, this was exhausting. But, it was how he survived.
The bell above the front door rang loud and true, signaling to Brian. His most loyal customer stepped in, Spade, followed by someone else.
"Ah! There you are Brian, I brought a friend here today!" Spade said excitedly, smiling with a broad grin. They turned to the person behind them and positioned their arms in a presenting fashion. "This is Ace, remember how you told me you were considering hiring more people?"
"Yes, are they here for an interview?" Brian asked, Spade nodded and softly shoved Ace forward. Ace nervously walked over to the counter, Brian sighed and waved for Ace to come through a side door. Sitting down on a chair, Brian asked, "So, do you have a history in anything criminal?" Ace shook their head, he continued, "Any other jobs before?" They shook their head again, Brian nodded in response, thinking of what to ask next. "Do you know how to make coffee and other types of drinks?" They nodded, great, he wouldn't have to spend as much time teaching them.
"Hey Brian! Are you done yet?" Spade called, "Because the other café just opened."
"No!" He called back, then he sighed with frustration. "Sorry, where were we?" Brian asked, Ace gestured in a way, but Brian couldn't understand. "Are you mute?" Ace nodded, he grimaced a bit. He had no idea how to read sign language, maybe he should start learning for Ace. "Well, considering I do need help, you're basically a perfect fit, so when do you want to start?" He asked, Ace sort of made a motion with his hands, when Brian gave him a puzzled look, he pulled out a notepad.
I can start tomorrow
"Great! I open at around 9:00, so you can get here around half an hour afterwards. That's when more people arrive." He said, extending a hand to Ace, but Ace flinched instead of taking it. Brian retracted his hand nervously, he wondered why Ace flinched, but heard the bell jingle and hurried out of the side room. "Good morning! How may I help you today?"
"Oh, I'm interested in a little plan."
"Okay? And what is this plan?"
"I mean, this little establishment isn't worth much. It would pay for you to join with the café across the street from yours." The person said, assuming they were being sly, they were not. Brian sighed with frustration again, this is the fourth time this month. And it's only two weeks in!
"For fucks sake, no!" Brian exclaimed angrily, taking the person aback. "I'm not going to sell my café to you! So just stop trying." A cough from the corner switched their attention to Spade.
"Look Alice, Brian isn't going to sell you his café, so go back to your petty little bar." They said, but with the glare turned up to an 11.
"It's not a bar Spade! It's a café!" Alice yelled, Spade rolled their eyes.
"Whatever it is, go crawling back to Jackson," Alice snarled and stomped over to Spade, getting right up in their face. Just as Ace left the side room Alice smacked Spade. Ace shuddered and grabbed the person closest to them, which was Brian. Instinctively, he placed an arm around Ace and hugged him tightly. So Ace must have some bad memories with physical violence. Good to know.
"You do not get to mention that asshole's name! Just because he liked you better than me!" Alice cried, Spade looked away, Ace continued to tremble in Brian's arms and he frowned. This had to stop.
"Oi! Either take this outside or stop it!" He shouted, Spade and Alice turned to him swiftly, Spade noticing Ace while Alice glared at Brian. She stormed out through the door, the bell cheerfully ringing as she left.
"Sorry, Ace has some-"
"Why are you apologizing FOR Ace? It's not their fault they have trauma! The hell Spade?!" Brian said angrily, trying to not raise his voice in case it hurt Ace.
"I, I'm sorry," Spade swiftly left the café, Brian staring in their direction for a while afterwards.
"Hey, you alright now?" Ace shook their head slowly, "Alright, I'm gonna make some tea, you okay on your own for a bit?" They nodded and slowly walked over to a small booth. While making the tea, Brian kept a close eye on Ace, they still shook with fear and their eyes wide. He poured the tea into a small cup and served it to them, giving them a pat on the shoulder as he left.
"Hey, could I get a coffee with almond milk?" Brian jumped, when did someone enter the café?
"Oh, uh sure." He said, making a coffee he had so many times in record time. "Here you go, that'll be $10.89," the customer handed Brian a credit card and he swiped it into the register. The customer left and he sighed with relief, then he turned to where Ace was sitting, but Ace wasn't there. No, Ace wasn't anywhere, they were missing. And the only sound while Brian panicked, was the sweet hum of jazz.
