Avery

~3~

It's a normal day. Today is going to be normal, I can feel it.

The air is cool, but not bitter and freezing, the streets are quiet but not completely empty.

Everything feels normal.

I try and smile at people as I pass, but very few return it.

I like to think I could make someone's day, but realistically, they don't care.

They probably have more pressing matters to deal with.

When I walk past all the shops down the street, I spot someone up on a ladder.

As I approach them, I realise it's the lovely old man who runs the drugstore around here.

Or by the looks of things, who ran the drugstore.

He's taking down the sign above the door, head hanging low.

"No way, your closing?"

"Yep, the rent raised far too much, we just couldn't afford it anymore." he shrugs, but he's clearly upset.

"So no more discounted Tylenol? Gosh how am I supposed to survive?" I try to lighten the mood.

There's a ghost of a smile as he shakes his head and when he steps down, I wrap my arms around his frail frame.

I give him a reassuring pat on the back before helping to take the sign down.

I'll be a little late to open, but he needs a hand, he can barely reach the thing even with a ladder.

He trys to hand me cash for helping, but if he can't afford rent, he can't afford to be throwing money around for people using basic manners.

After a lot of convincing, he agrees to leave it and I say I'll see him around soon.

As I reach for the keys to the bakery, I feel something deep in my pocket.

I pull out a crisp 10 dollar bill.

Sneaky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's about half way through the day and Amy went home, she said she was tired and had a headache.

I'm tired too, but we all deal with things differently I guess.

There's a sweet old couple, Sammy and John, they come in almost every morning, except Sunday, they have to go to church.

Sometimes they bring in their grand-daughter, and oh my, she is the most precious girl.

She brings me little drawings of cupcakes and explains why she chose each color and how she thinks about me when she thinks of icing.

It's nice knowing someone thinks about you, even its just because you make the best icing in town.

Her words, not mine.

Her 7th birthday was last week, and I've never seen someone as excited about anything.

Of course, I made her a little pink cupcake and stuck a candle in it, she loved it.

Anyway, I usually have their order for food, but they threw a curveball last time and ordered something completely different.

It gave me trust issues.

They stroll through the door, and I see a certain little lady, head back giggling.

"Avery!" she sprints over and attempts to jump over to me.

Obviously, she's probaly 3 feet tall so she fails and gives me her best pout.

"You'll get there one day, you just keep growing!"

I grin at her and she snatches the cupcake I'm holding out to her.

"Good morning, Avery." Sammy's sweet smile shines at me.

"How's business, dear?" her husband asks from beside her.

I'll be honest, these two may be the only reason I can believe that love actually exists.

Her arm is hooked around his, firmly, like she doesn't want to let go.

"Oh, fantastic." My eyes roam over all the mostly emtpy seats.

My lies are just terrible.

He gives me a friendly smile, but his pity for me shines through.

I hold out their 2 drinks, a flat white and a mocha.

I love how easy they make it for me.

Today they don't even get any food, I'm taken a back.

This is new.

I can see it in their eyes, they do this to mess with me.

With a laugh, they turn to leave, a very small hand waving frantically at me.

I look at the time and notice it's getting closer to 12, also known as food rush hour.

People are on lunch breaks and need a boost.

We never get too busy, but busy enough for me to look like a mad woman by the end.

But that's just because I get stressed far too easily.

Grabbing the cloth from the sink, I start wiping all the crumbs from the counter, my baby hairs sticking to my forehead.

The bell above the door chimes, the few people sat at the tables looking up.

People can never keep their eyes to themsleves anymore.

I keep my focus on cleaning the surfaces, wiping a few hairs from my view.

In the corner of my eyes, I see a tall man walking towards me, rolling up his sleeves with a familiar coat over his arm.

His muscles flex with each move.

When I finally look up, he reaches up to move his deep brown, almost black hair from his eyes.

His jaw is clenched, observing my face and everything around me.

"Coffee, black." He pauses and I wait, thinking he wants something else.

"Please." He adds in a small grumble.

He must be having a bad day.

I nod with a smile, picking up a take away cup from the stand.

I can feel him watching me as I pour the boiling liquid.

Placing the lid on top, I see cash on the counter and I hand him his coffee.

"Have a nice day!" I shout after him, but I'm sure he's out of the door before he even hears me.

What a pleasant man. At least he has his looks going for him.

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👀👀

His Love is almost at 20k.... that's actually crazy. thank you all x