When Raif returned to the cafe after visiting his mom, his abdomen tightened as soon as he walked in. It had begun doing that every time he entered, now that the place reminded him so much of Lucinda. Not seeing her smiling face behind the counter, or restocking the shelves while bobbing her head to the music, made the cafe feel less alive. Even the customers seemed to notice.
"Hey Raif," Mr. Lee said as he tapped his knuckles on the counter. "Where's our sweet girl? This place is too quiet without her laughter."
"Um... she's uh..." Raif began rubbing the back of his neck.
"She's just taking some time off," Jake interjected as he passed Mr. Lee his cup of coffee. "Her friend had a heart attack, so she's gone to make sure he's ok."
"Do you mean Merrill? The man who offered me fly-fishing lessons?"
"That's the one." Jake nodded.
"Oh gosh..." Mr. Lee sighed. "I'm really sorry to hear about that, he's a nice man. Well, please give Lucinda my best next time you hear from her."
"Yes, and tell her how it's not the same around here without her," Mrs. Rita added as she scooted up to the counter.
"Are we chopped liver now?" Raif pulled on a smile as he motioned between him and Jake.
"Oh you know I love you, Raif, and your new manager isn't so bad either." She winked to Jake. "But Lucinda is such a ray of sunshine. I tell you, that girl has helped me countless times while crossing the street and one time she even walked around the market with me, helping me bag vegetables."
"That was sweet of her." Raif smiled. "Especially with the arthritis in your hands flaring up lately."
"Make sure you hold onto her, Raif. She's a keeper." Mr. Lee dipped his head, once, as a way of saying goodbye and then left the cafe.
"Give her my best next time you see her and remind her that I want that recipe for the squash soup she was telling me about," Mrs. Rita said, while wagging her finger.
"I will."
Raif held his breath as he watched the elderly woman exit the cafe and then he exhaled in relief. Where was Lucinda? If he didn't get some sort of answer soon, he knew he would go insane with everyone constantly asking about her. He could only lie so many times before someone would begin to suspect that something was wrong.
"You alright, Boss?" Jake asked with a hand to Raif's shoulder.
"Yeah... just, tired I guess."
"Which brings me to my next question."
Raif shifted his eyes to him and sighed. "What is it?"
"I was going over the logbook and based on the trends report Lucinda put together, if her numbers are correct, customer traffic has doubled over the last two weeks. Especially on the weekends, thanks to some of the schools starting spring break earlier, so I think it's time we hire a couple of people."
"Jake, I can't afford two people."
"Well..." he rubbed the back of his neck in thought. "With Lucinda gone-"
YOU ARE READING
The Jump
ChickLit(Incomplete) LUCINDA is a heartbroken woman in her late twenties. She's a bit of a recluse and doesn't particularly trust men, thanks to a two-timing ex who spun her life upside down. So she takes a jump. From a bridge. MERRILL is an elderly widow...
