Cherries and Coffee

Something's Wrong

Chapter 14

I stare at my phone that displays the text from Mel.

What does she want to talk about? Could it be about what happened in the kitchen earlier?

Many thoughts race through my mind as my fingers type a reply.

To: Mel(issa)

Sure, what's up?

I don't have to wait long for a reply. Within a few seconds from hitting send I'm met with an answer.

Mel(issa):

It's about Ray. I think something's wrong with him.

Mel(issa):

Wanna meet up for a coffee? I'd rather discuss this in person.

Part of me wants to immediately accept but the other part is hesitant. I'm not sure how Jade would react to me meeting up with her best friend for coffee. I also don't think Ray would be too happy about the situation either; however, I'd be lying if I said everything was normal with him.

To: Mel(issa):

Yeah sure, when and where?

Mel(issa):

Does 2:30 sound good? And we can meet at the little cafe on 3rd and South.

To: Mel(issa):

Sounds good. See you then.

I turn my head to the clock that's currently displaying 2:12. Shit. I needed to get ready and fast. I quickly threw on a purple long sleeve sweater and replaced my joggers with jeans. I slid on my white vans, grabbed my jacket, and headed out the door.

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After a five minute walk I arrive at Bonnie's Beans, a quaint cafe that's a favorite among the locals. I shove the door open and stepped out of the cold into a cozy environment. The walls are a light cream color with dark brown beams heading up the walls onto the ceiling. The floor has dark green tiles with the occasional throw rug in the lounge seating area. Windows line one of the walls and had a table in front of each. In one corner there's an electric fireplace that provides the room with warmth. I scan the room, checking to see if Mel's already here but all I see are a few customers scattered among the tables and the hustling baristas behind the counter.

I head over to the counter and just buy a water, not really feeling the need for any caffeine at the moment, then find a seat at a table for two in a back corner. I scroll through Instagram until I hear the bell above the door rattle and Mel comes in.

I see her scan the room until she sees me. I wave and she gestures to the line, implying she wants to order something, and I nod. A few minutes go by before she sits in the seat across from me and places a mug of light brown coffee on the table.

"Hey, everything okay?" I ask after she gets settled.

She stares down at the steam rising from her drink, the smell of espresso filling both our nostrils. God she looked gorgeous with the afternoon light hitting her face from the window. I catch myself and push the thoughts out of my mind, silently scolding myself. After a sigh she answers, "I know I haven't been with Ray for that long but he seems, how should I put this," she pauses. "Different, I guess. At least from the guy I met at McElroys."

I sigh. She must've noticed his drinking issue. In all honesty it is worrying, normally he'd be out of his funk by now but I can't see any improvement being made.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I reply.

She looks up from her drink. "So it's not just me who's noticed it?" she asks with a hint of relief in her voice.

"No, you're not," I answer. "You see, in the past he's had these phases where all he does is go out to parties and get drunk, which I'd guess is what's happening now."

She nods as she takes a sip of her drink. I continue.

"However, this time seems... different."

"How so?" She asks.

"Well, he's usually better by now. He stops going out as much, he reduces his drinking to the occasional beer, and he basically returns to his old, weird self," I explain.

"How long did it normally last?" She asks quietly.

"Around a week. After a few days he'd begin to calm down but he still seems to be in the peak of his funk," I answer.

"Is there anything that usually triggers this?"

I think for a moment. "It could be that he has to go home to his family soon for the holidays."

"Oh," she says. "Does he not have a good relationship with them?"

"His dad's kind of a dick and his mom's very controlling. I met them over the summer and they weren't exactly the 'Welcome home son, we've missed you so much,' kinda folks," I state. I can see that she's tensed up a bit as she started looking down at her drink again.

"Poor guy," is all she can murmur out.

I shrug. "Yeah, and when he told them he wanted to major in music things got worse," I add. "Dad wanted him to be a lawyer or a doctor, definitely not a musician."

"I know how he feels," Mel quietly says. "My parents wanted me to be a business woman, start a company, get rich, all that jazz," she lets out a sigh, "but it wasn't for me."

I sit there quietly. My parents never really cared about my career choice. Maybe they always thought I'd go into something math based, it was my favorite subject after all.

"So what do you suggest we do?" She asks, bringing us back on topic.

I pause to think. "I guess we should wait until after the holidays, maybe things will calm down after he's done visiting his family."

She nods. "That makes sense." Her phone buzzes on the table. "Shit I have to get ready for work."

"I'll walk you home," I offer. She gives me a small smile as we both get up to leave.

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Nothing more was said on the walk back to Mel's place. I just walked her the few blocks and we exchanged our goodbyes at the door to her apartment complex. I decided to go grocery shopping before heading back home.

I picked up the usual things from the market. Soup, cereal, protein bars, some fruit, and Ray's usual stash of Mac and Cheese.

I made it home just before six, fully expecting the sound of Ray hitting the drums to fill the apartment but all I can hear is silence.

I put the bags of food on the counter and see a note on the counter.

Went out with Zach and Ryan,

Don't know when I'll be home.

~Ray

"Great," I say out loud. I put the groceries away then finish the rest of my homework while I wait for Ray to stumble through the door. 

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I am so sorry that it's taking me so long to update. Please be patient, I'm still figuring out minor plot lines. 

As always, thank you so much for reading, please please please vote, comment, and share. 

xx