Rrinkers

Chapter 13

"What happened to your lip?!" It was early morning, and Gabe had just walked into the coffee shop for his Monday morning shift.

"I fell...." She lied for a good reason. She didn't want to tell people that a man hit her...with a Ping-Pong ball...by accident. If her pain was extreme two days ago, it was ten times more painful today. Screw Lucas!

"How do you fall like that?!" Gabe gasped as he looked closer at her busted lip. "My God, does it hurt?"

"Only a little." Why was she always lying to others around her? She didn't want to burden them with the truth.

"Damn Zoe, I really hope you feel better."

Smiling widely, Zoe replied, "Thank you, Gabe. You're the best." He really was a nice kid. Zoe couldn't wait to go to his high school graduation in the summer and she was sad when he would stop working there to go off to college but she was so proud of him. Just like a little brother. "By the way, Gabe, Evelyn's not coming in today. She doesn't feel good."

"I got it. I'll be extra helpful today."

"You always are." Zoe was lucky to have him work in her coffee shop. His kindness made the anger she felt towards Lucas somewhat go away. Key word somewhat.

Gabe and Zoe started the day by opening the doors of the shop at six in the morning and only five minutes after that, they got their first customer. After the customer got their coffee and left, there were three other people that walked in and Zoe got ready to serve them when she realized it wasn't customers. It was the agents that were occupying her second floor, doing God knows what. They just came and left when they pleased, and Zoe was sure some of them slept there as well. They were dedicated. I can't wait until the six months is up so I can get my home back, she thought to herself. Zoe watched as they smiled at her and walked up the stairs in their handymen outfits, quickly getting out of sight.

"When are they going to finish renovating your loft?" Gabe asked, breaking Zoe's thoughts.

"Umm...I'm not sure. They have a lot of things to do."

"Can't wait to see what it will look like after."

"Well, they're only fixing things internally like the pipes and stuff so there won't be a difference on the outside."

"Ohh, that makes sense. Those things usually take a long time."

Zoe felt like she was deceiving everyone around her. But she had no choice, these were the orders given to her by the FBI. "Yupp."

Interrupting their conversation, one of the agents walked down the stairs and to the counter, ready to order coffee. It was strange because they had never ordered coffee before, but there's a first time for everything.

"Can I get a coffee, three sugars, one cream."

"Yes," Gabe replied.

"Gabe," Zoe said, getting Gabe's attention. "It's on the house for them."

Gabe nodded, and she heard the agent/handyman—well handywoman— say a 'thank you' before she went to make sure all the tables were ready for seating.

For the rest of the day, Gabe and Zoe enjoyed tending to the orders of the customers and doing all the logistics of running a coffee shop. Zoe wrote in her poem book whenever she got a break. She loved to write.

In the afternoon, Zoe bid Gabe goodbye and did all of her afternoon duties. She closed up about a quarter past ten and was on her way to her new, temporary home. Although her days were super busy, they went by fast, and she always looked forward to the end of the day when she would be able to walk to the hotel and enjoy the night sky filled with stars. She simply loved the nighttime. It's going to start snowing soon. The cold crisp air was an indication of that.