Cassie called again, in the midst of my outpour of tears. I tried my best to hide it from her but she knew me too well. I assured her once again that I was on my way to meet her.
I was glad that I wouldn't spend my afternoon solo. I didn't trust myself alone with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company.
Before heading out, I changed my clothes, catching a whiff of Alex's scent on my day old shirt. It was then that I convinced myself to do what I hadn't done in years.
I rummaged through my closet, searching for a piece of my past life. I smiled when I came across the scratched plastic case. Making my way back to the kitchen, I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
I put the key into the ignition of my car, bringing the engine and radio to life. I popped my mixed CD out of the disc player and slid in one of my favorite albums of all time. I could never admit it out loud but I loved it more than life itself.
I rolled my windows up and turned the volume up so the only thing I could hear was the sound of Alex's voice. I sat parked in the driveway for a few moments, drowning in the music.
Anticipation has a habit to set you up...
By the time I made it to my destination, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor was drawing to an end.
Dancing to electro pop like a robot from 1984...from 1984!
I desperately wondered how his singing voice sounded now. I'd never built up enough strength to listen to anything newer than Humbug. Even then, I'd only ever heard one song off of that album.
I stepped out of my car staggering from my Alex-induced haze. His voice was like a drug.
Ben's Coffee Shop was our go-to place when we needed to talk. I'd never mentioned to Cas about any of my old flames. Especially not about the only man I ever truly loved. I tried my very best most of the time to not even think about him, much less talk about him.
I strolled into the shop, greeted by the wonderful aromatics of freshly brewed coffee. Coffee was exactly what I needed at the moment.
My nose led me straight to the counter to order. I needed something with lots of sugar and chocolate. I opened my mouth to speak to the barista and Cassie's loud mouth cut me off.
"Sophie! Come here right now!"
I rolled my eyes like the child she obviously thought I was. I smiled politely at the barista and told her I'd come back in a few.
Cassie was sitting in the back corner, away from other patrons. Which I was thankful for. I wasn't sure how much crying left I had to do.
"Yes, mommy?"
"Sophie," she scoffed.
"Could I not have ordered my coffee first?"
She stood up immediately. "Sit down. I'll get you what you want. Just sit. And don't move."
"Yes, mommy. Something with chocolate and lots of sugar, please."
I guess I shouldn't be too annoyed with her. She has two young kids and it's hard for her to treat her grown friends like adults most of the time. She has a good heart. I just hope this conversation would go over okay.
She was back in a few minutes with a huge plastic cup. Looked like some kind of frappuccino. Good enough for me. She set it directly in front of me and even took the wrapper off my straw and stuck it in my cup.
"Thank you, mo--Cas."
She smiled at me half-heartedly and took a sip from her mug of hot coffee.
