The Coffee Chronicles

Chapter 8

Hey guys it took me a while to upload but expect the usual one chapter a week from now on. I was on vacation in Austin texas for a wedding that I was apart of and was the makeup artist so that was a lot of fun! Anywho I am pretty proud of this chapter things are happening! Let me know what you think a comment a vote or even a message let me know how this is portrayed! Happy reading -Tori

******

 
        Spending two full days cramped in the corner of the room half asleep, half groggy, and uncomfortable sitting on the supposedly comfortable hospital recliner. He could beg to differ at how comfortable it is. He asks for a cot from the nurse who undresses him with her eyes, only to find out  all the cots are being used, to his dismay. Emily has been reduced to a lump in the small hospital bed. She's being pumped full of medication in hopes to bring down her ever-growing fever.

      Feverish and delusional, Emily has called him an array of names from just him creating a little amount of noise trying to adjust. His phone has bit the dust, it's in need of a charge as he is for a shower.

       The third day she wakes up a little longer each time, still a bit lost and weary of her surroundings. His shoulder-length hair broke free of the leather band he tied it back with, from running his sweaty hands though out of pure exhaustion.

       'Why am I still here?' Vince ponders. He could have left anytime with no explanation needed. He is in no way obligated to stay, he thinks, as he is practically glued to the chair only moving from it to urinate. A permanent impression of his weight etched into the cushion. His eyes resting on the bundle of blankets and the fragile female cuddling a small pinked bear. He can't bring himself to leave. 'What if she needs me?' Not being there for her if something were to happen would, for some reason, devastate him.

     Puff's of air escape her open lips as she dreams peacefully, unaware at the waging battle taking place within the businessman sitting just two feet to her left.

     'I should leave.' He thinks, looking around the room, his eyes once again settling on Emily. Raising to his feet, he walks over to her bedside, being careful not to wake the sleeping beauty. 'She doesn't even want me here, anyway.' He comes to his conclusion, deciding to just slip out quietly. The door makes a loud creak as it is opened by Mr. Kennedy, behind him is her coffee shop co-worker, Leah.

     "You're still here?" Mr. Kennedy asks as he takes in Vincent's appearance. His three-day wrinkled suit, his hair greasy and unkempt. Mr. Kennedy looks over at the bed and notices she is still asleep and lowers his voice to a whisper. "It's been three days, have you not gone home at all? Have you eaten anything?" He asks Vincent, the man standing before him, his answers already clear.

     "Yes, I've been to the cafeteria, but I was just heading out. I have to get to work." Vince shifts back and forth nervously in the questioning gaze of Mr. Kennedy.

     Leah watches the transaction before her, perplexed at the unusual dynamic. She's at a loss for words. Leah knows she has seen this man before yet can't put her fingers on where.

     Emily stirs from the multiple voices that are now in her room. All hush, wide-eyed the three stare at the squirming bundle of blankets. Not a single sound passes their lips until Emily settles down.

     "Like I just said, I should be going." Vince said to the pair, itching to slip out before she wakes up, afraid that once she does he wouldn't be able to leave her.