After taking a steaming shower and putting on my clean uniform I waltzed into the diner happily. Yet the moment I walked in, an unsettling pair of eyes bore into mine. It was him... The man whom I made a deal with. He was dressed in the same attire from before yet he was far more anxious. Why has he come?
"I suppose you were not expecting me to appear again. I did say I would." He had indeed.
"With your mysterious presence I had expected you to appear in the dead of night... I must thank you. My first night here was spent sleeping in the street yet the next I have a place to stay." I said sarcastically.
"If only... You slept in the diner we met at before finding your way here. Luckily enough I had Max find you. If it hadn't been for my suggestion you would not be here at all." Rolling my eyes I walked behind the counter.
"We both know you did not come here for ideal chit chat. What do you want?" I leaned on the counter as he stared at me.
"I simply came to how things were progressing with your task. Have you learned anything?"
"I have. Mr. Quartez is a man of many things. He enjoys bitter sweet things. With that being said I do believe he has taken to my unique skill of making a cup of coffee." I had almost forgotten the task at hand already. It is hard to remember its significance once I feel relaxed. "Other than that I know he usually visits here around 2:30 then he leaves at 3 o' clock."
I watched the man in front of me pale considerably before he quickly stood. He quickly left without saying another word. Just as I contemplated following him I heard a car squeal away. After a few moments I watched the door open to reveal Mr. Quartez. Looking behind me I noticed that it was only 11:15 in the morning. Not yet noon and he is already here?
"Ah good morning! By chance would you be a sweetheart and make me something with pumpkin in it? I've had a boring morning and I'd like to spice things up!" He was quite loud and delighted as continued to talk. "Can I have some of the white stuff on top? Eh- Frankie! What's it called?"
"Uh... It's a cream that's been whipped. It's made of sugar and cream. Something new they came out with a few months ago." Frankie said. He was nearly as tall as the boss yet he spoke a lot slower.
"I'll have it right out for you, sir!"
Putting on a fresh pot of coffee with a stick of cinnamon I walked into the kitchen grabbing a bowel along the way, pouring enough cream and hopefully enough sugar. Grabbing a whisk I began to stir away. Slowly the cream melted together with the sugar to thicken into a cloud. My arm ached from the constant whipping yet it was far from done. Finally it thickened enough for me to stop whisking. Pulling up the whisk I noticed that the cream was holding itself quite well without drooping.
Grabbing a mug I added some honey to the inside with some cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Grabbing the cinnamon coffee I poured some into the mug before topping it with the freshly whipped cream. I added more pumpkin spice on top along with a stick of cinnamon. Grabbing the tray I put the mug onto it before putting all of the ingredients onto another tray. Just before I left I made sure to grab some napkins in case he dropped the cream.
Walking out of the kitchen I was surprised to see Max and Mary watching me from the other side. They smiled warmly as I passed by them. Where have they been? Did they see the mysterious man? Sure Max knows who he is... I must remember to ask once Mr. Quartez leaves. Placing the tray down I handed Mr. Quartez his drink which he took excitedly. Wafting it toward his nose I watched him take a deep breath.
"...This is heaven. I can smell it." He took a big gulp leaving a white mustache behind. I held in a grin and passed him the napkins. "Thank you sweetheart. I absolutely love the way you used cinnamon, pumpkin, and honey! It makes me feel as if summer truly is over now. All that is left is a bit of warmth... The tree's have already turned yet the air still remains warm enough... I won't need ya to make this again for today. This one cup will do."
YOU ARE READING
Devastation (Paused)
Mystery / Thriller"Keep talking and you'll end up as my pet..."
