The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 33: After everything

"I kinda feel like breakfast," said Danny as he stretched in the passenger seat. "But I guess that would be hard with Rojo. Wouldn't want to leave him in the car for super long."

"Mmmm, well, you're in luck because I know a coffee shop that lets people bring their dogs inside. They have bagels and pastries you can buy."

"Sounds great."

I changed lanes and wove through the city until we got to Rise Coffee. I swung around the back and parked.

"This is more industrial than I expected," Danny said as we all walked together.

"Mmhmm. Small businesses, restaurants, and microbreweries are eating up these renovated industrial buildings. It's great because it saves these spaces while also providing large open rooms that can be easily customized."

We walked into Rise Coffee. The beat-up wood floor creaked between tall concrete pillars and light spilled in from the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the coffee shop. Whitewashed concrete block made up the far side.

"Maria! It's good to see you!"

"Charles! I thought today was your day off."

The older man had white hair, ebony skin, and symmetrical laugh lines around his eyes. They crinkled with delight as he came around the coffee bar to greet us. "Yeah, normally is, but my opener came down with the flu. That's alright. Glad to see you."

"Glad to see you."

Charles looked from me to Danny.

"I'm Danny McGarry." He stuck out his hand.

Charles clasped it. "Are you Maria's boyfriend?"

Danny looked at me and grinned. "Yeah."

He whistled. "Well, I'll be. Maria was our architect for this project. She really helped us figure out how to preserve the look of this place, while also getting rid of stuff that wasn't necessary, putting together this reclaimed wooden bar, and helping us with the décor."

Danny smiled softly. "I could tell she designed it."

"Charles was a delight to work with," I said.

"You're the delight, Maria." Charles looked down. "Oh! Where are my manners? What's your name?" he asked as he got down on the floor.

"This is Rojo."

Rojo wagged his feathery tail.

"Can he have a treat?"

"Of course!" I said. "Lucky you, Rojo."

Charles motioned for us to follow him to the coffee bar. "What can I get for you?"

"Mmmm...I'm thinking I want one of your specialty drinks. You pick it, Charles."

"Ooookay. Anything to eat?"

"Yeah. I'll have the cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese."

"Got it. And for you, good sir?"

"Americano for me and...a poppy bagel. Also, cream cheese."

"Sounds good. I'll let you know when it's ready."

"How much, Charles?" I asked.

"No no," he waved. "It's on the house."

"Charles! Small businesses gotta do business!"

"Uh-huh. And business is great. This is my treat. I'm glad you came today."

I groaned. "Fine."

Charles laughed. "Go take a seat."

Danny glanced around the room. "How about that table over there?" he asked me.