Three Means Coffee

28

Błażej arrived at Monika's place a bit sleepy because the previous day he had been at work until late, as he tried to make up for his absence at the weekend by working as much as possible in the afternoons during the week. Fortunately, he arranged working hours with her and with another co-worker on a regular basis, which was very convenient for him.

Tymek was very happy about this because he had been trying to come up with a plan all week that would prevent his uncle from going to the toy thief. He asked for help and inspiration from everyone in his kindergarten group. Seeing Błażej yawning, he thought that it would be easier than he expected. It would be enough to put him to sleep around the time of his mother's return from work, forcing him to watch some boring cartoon or read a book. Mom will definitely not want to wake him then, and thus he will not go anywhere. He tried to laugh evilly, like a villain, but only choked and coughed. Monika checked if he was okay and said goodbye.

However, Tymek's plan had a serious hole, namely Błażej's sense of duty, which would not allow himself to rest with him under his care. The boy anxiously looked at his watch, offering his uncle once again a book that he assumed would put him to sleep. Before he knew it, mom was back and put her plan into action, sending her cousin to get a few things she could use to make dinner.

"Do you really need it that much?" asked Błażej, not necessarily satisfied with his clothes, meaning the tracksuit. He didn't necessarily want to see Makary in this version of himself.

"Yes. I should be glad that I don't have to buy something that I won't use later, and I need a teaspoon or two for the recipe because I have a neighbor who always has plenty of it and will be happy to share it," said Monika, unpacking the groceries.

"You became friends pretty fast," muttered Błażej, heading for the door. "Did you warn him at all?"

"Yes, he said everything will be ready." Tymek's mother smiled slyly, pleased with her intrigue. She knew that her cousin didn't quite believe her, but she would do whatever he asked.

"Don't go to the toy thief!" Tymek shouted suddenly, pulling his uncle by the hand and pulling him away from the door. "He's definitely really bad."

Monika and Błażej looked at each other worriedly and knelt next to the boy who started crying in frustration that his plan didn't work out and his uncle was hanging out with someone he didn't like.

"Tymek," began Monika. "Why don't you want your uncle to go to the neighbor?"

"Because he's bad!" her son answered through tears.

"If he's so bad, why would he help me carry the groceries then?"

"I don't know, maybe he was just pretending to be good!"

"Tymek..." Błażej turned him towards him. "I can assure you that Makary is really nice. Remember last week I went to apologize for my behavior, had coffee with him that back, and came back safe and sound. You don't have to worry, he's not bad," he said. " And he's sad that you still think he's a toy thief."

"How do you know he's not evil?"

"Because he has a pet," answered Błażej, remembering the photo he received from Makary at the beginning of the week.

"I do not believe you! You're just saying that to make me like him."

"No, see." Błażej pulled out his phone and showed him a picture of Nemo.

He watched the child's pupils dilate with excitement at the sight of the parrot, reached out to grab the phone, and took a closer look at it. After a while Tymek reflected and apologized, giving Makary a small credit of trust for the moment, and allowed his uncle to go to him. Fate wanted to intervene and was already threatening the child in his mind that he would delay his own meeting with the other half on purpose, when he realized that Tymek already knew her, stopping suddenly with his finger raised in a gesture ready to scold the child.