Late Night Talking [h.s.]

two

Green Eyes - JOSEPH

The day after my night shift at the radio station, I slept until noon. My neck was stiff, and I felt a headache coming on.

Although I didn't like to admit it, Sam was right. She knew what a lack of sleep did to me, and it wasn't pretty. It almost felt like I was hungover.

I dragged myself out of bed at 12:30, after a bout of scrolling to avoid getting up. I immediately went to the shower to wake myself up.

As the cold water dripped down my head, I thought of Harry.

There was really no reason for me to be thinking of him. He popped in my mind like an objective to cross off a to-do list - 1. Feed the cat, 2. Do the dishes, 3. Think of Harry, the random man from the radio that I was a bitch to.

I dried off my body and strolled back into my bedroom to change.

Teddy chirped from my bed.

"Hi buddy," I smiled at him. "Miss me last night?"

As if he was actually responding, he meowed back at me.

"Yeah, I missed you too. But lucky for you, I'll be home all day."

Teddy slowly walked over to me, sitting on the edge of my bed with me.

"Okay, I lied. I have to get a coffee from Lucky's. But I'll be right back after that."

I stood up and made my way to my closet. I picked out a pair of loose mom jeans and a brown knit sweater I found at one of the vintage shops nearby. I didn't bother with makeup, but did blow dry my hair so I could toss it into a clip and get it out of my face.

Satisfied, I pulled on my well-loved white converse, grabbed my tote bag, and headed out the door.

Lucky's is my favorite coffee spot for a few reasons: it was the first place I went after moving into my current apartment. It has the best brew in San Francisco. It is down the street from my apartment. And most importantly, it has the best owners.

I met George Luck on my second visit to the shop. He brought a free iced coffee over to me that day, saying I looked tired. Normally, I would have taken offense to that, but it was true. I was exhausted. That entire week had been a nightmare.

"You should meet my daughter," He said to me. "She's the best."

I laughed it off at first, thinking that George was just gushing about his daughter the way that most parents do. But then I met Samantha, and I knew he was right. She is the best.

Now, George has passed, and Sam runs the shop with her mom. Every day, I look forward to going to Lucky's to get their delicious coffee, talk with Sam for a bit, and experience her dad's memory once more.

"Hey Sammy." I smiled at her when I walked through the door.

"I was wondering if you'd show up today. Wasn't sure if you'd be too tired." She said.

"I'm never too tired for this place," I joked. "But I will need that cold brew you promised me yesterday."

"You've got it."

Sam disappeared into the back room for a few minutes and came back with a large pitcher of coffee.

I moved over to the bar where I could watch her make my drink and still chat with her.

"So, how'd your night with Oliver go?" I asked.

"Not great. He bailed at the last minute. I stayed home, ordered Chinese, watched some rom-coms and cried." Sam focused on my drink, avoiding eye contact with me.