How the Cookie Crumbles

The Dutch Cookie Crumbles

Declan took McKenna's hand as they entered the local Dutch café.

"Thanks for coming here with me," McKenna said.

"Oh, I am so glad to be here," said Declan. "My family usually comes here when I'm working, so I don't get to come here often." They walked past the many Christmas displays to the back of the shop and filed into the waiting line. "McKenna, what are you in the mood for? Saucijzenbroodjes?"

"Oh sure," McKenna replied. "Those are the sausage rolls, right?"

"Absolutely, they are," the employee behind the counter interjected. It was Evan, McKenna's cousin!

While she was distracted, McKenna's best friend, Maria, came in through the door. She had caught wind of the couple's plans and knew she needed to fulfill her best-friendly duties. Behind her was their other friend, Steve. He followed behind Maria, trying not to look back at where they left Billy, their friend with a car.

"Quickly, behind this tree before they see us!" Maria dragged Steve by the wrist before McKenna could see the two doofuses.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming." Steve tried not to laugh.

"I cannot believe tha McKenna is going on her first date," Maria said.

"When did he ask her out?" Steve asked.

Maria replied, "I'm not exactly sure, she just mentioned to me that she had a date today so obviously, as her best friend I have to stalk her to make sure it goes well. Steve, thanks again for coming with me."

"Absolutely," Steve said.

"You know," Maria lowered her voice, "For some reason, I really thought that her and Declan would be end-game, but obviously, he didn't actually ask her out."

"Wow, man, that really sucks for him. Declan's my best friend, but he's a little slow I suppose."

"Where is she anyway? Do you see her, Steve?"

Steve craned his neck high above Maria's. "Oh, there she is. They're just ordering."

"Who is she with?!" Maria tried not to squeal. "She's with Declan after all!"

Maria's phone began to ring, sending her in a panic to answer it. "Mom!" She spoke into the tiny screen. "I can't talk right now, I'm in a tree with Steve."

"What? I didn't know you and Steve were even thinking about being together!" said her mother.

"Not at all, Mrs. Jacobs. We are currently watching my beautiful brother in Christ discover his true love." Steve said into the phone, "Oh, and look, he's paying for her. Class. Yep, I would let him date my daughter."

Meanwhile, Billy came in through the shop door, ignorant to Declan and McKenna, decided to find out what Steve and Maria were doing that was taking so long. They told him to wait in the car, but failed to mention when they'd be back. He wandered through the sea of tall, blond, Dutch strangers and could not fathom how Maria and Steve disappeared in this crowd. "Marco?" He called.

"Polo!" A shrill voice responded from somewhere on the ground. It was a little child with snot all over its face and crusty mittens. It looked up at Billy, laughed maniacally, then ran to the back of the store.

Unfamiliar with this establishment, Billy decided to walk further in, where he found the line for the bakery counter. An idea struck him, so he hopped in line.

"Hi there!" He chirped when he got to the counter. "I'll get an Americano, a coconut water, and, let's see, an iced latté for myself."

"Billy?!" The employee exclaimed.

"Oh, hello," Billy started, then quickly read the nametag, "Eth- no - Evan. Hello Evan!"

"Billy, how could you?" Evan sneered. "You led on my older sister!"

"What?" Billy froze, wracking his brain. "When was that?"

"I guess it was when you guys were in high school." Evan began to cool off.

"Evan, I'm now twenty-two years old. I've changed my ways!"

"I guess I do hold grudges longer than I should." Evan drew a breath. "Well, then how's it going, Billy? Are you still going to that young adults' group?"

Billy grinned, "Actually yes! My good friend, McKenna, runs it!"

Hearing her name, McKenna, looks up. Why was Billy here? "Oh no," McKenna said quietly, "If Billy sees us here, there's only a countdown until the entire church knows we're dating."

Declan, apparently not hearing her, nor noticing as she got up to use the washroom, called out, "Hey, Billy, how's it going?"

"Oh, hi Declan! I was just -" Billy responded but Evan interrupted.

"Billy, do you need a drink tray for all three of these?"

"Yes!" Billy responded. To Declan he said, "It was good seeing you here, but I'm on a mission today. See you on Thursday!"

With that, he grabbed all three drinks and set off to complete three unsuccessful laps around the store.

Behind the tree, Steve whispered to Maria, "I require the lavatory."

"The what?" Maria just couldn't catch what he was saying.

"I must use the loo."

"Steve, how are you going to walk past them without being noticed?"

"Because I'm black?"

"Because they both know you!"

Steve's booming laugh alerted Billy.

"There you guys are!"

Heads turned -more specifically Declan and McKenna's heads turned. All eyes were on Billy, holding three drinks and talking to a tree, from which two teary-eyes individuals emerged.

"What are you guys doing here?!" McKenna burst.

"How long have you been here, McKenna?" Billy turned to the table.

"Steve and I are here to stalk your first date!" Maria tried to explain.

"We aren't even on our first date!" Declan exclaimed. "We've been quietly dating for a month or so now!"

Steve ran to Evan at the counter, "Sir, please can you direct me toward the lavatories?"