Simple Needs

$4

I settled into my seat. The coffee shop had a credit card only policy. That was convenient.

I still wanted to steal all the credit cards, but not nearly as much since I never spent anything and the card would most likely be canceled anyway. I would be able to have a pleasant conversation with Daisy. I missed that.

I couldn't even have a good conversation with Theo anymore. I wondered if he suspected anything. He was always so sweet. If I even gave I hint I felt bad he was ready to rush me to the hospital.

He had been at the hospital as much as work would allow when I was sick. His friend Leah showed up a lot too. I don't remember much about Leah. He met her right around then.

I looked back at Daisy. "What is your novel about?" I asked, more just out of politeness than anything.

"Oh, I haven't written it yet," she said dismissively.

I raised my eyebrows. "You seem like you know what it's about, though."

She nodded, smiling, but not saying anything.

"Something to do with all the books," I pondered, grabbing one from the middle of the table. "Let's see, Souls and Their Curious Natures."

I furrowed my eyebrows and grabbed another one. Soul sickness. That was odd. Soul Reapers: How to Spot Them and How to Stop Them. I was interested in whatever the novel was going to be. How to See Stolen Souls. Something in me revolted against the book. My hands trembled and I dropped it just as a girl in a bright apron walked up.

"How are we today?" she asked, her voice a monotone.

"Splendid, as usual, Lucy. I'll have my regular, and what will you have?" Daisy asked me.

I gave my order, my voice cracking halfway through. Lucy left without asking if anything was wrong. That was good.

Daisy didn't ask what was wrong either, picking up the book from where I'd dropped it and skimming through it.

She stopped on a page, her eyes scanning it intently. She only looked up at me when she noticed my staring.

"It's a beautiful day out, isn't it?"

I nodded stupidly.

"I always like the pretty days. It always lets me see some things in a new light. It's harder to hide things."

I blanched, and she looked at me, an understanding smile somehow plastered to her face. A sudden rage filled me. She couldn't understand anything about me.

She seemed to notice. "I'm talking about ideas, of course. Everything flows so much easier when the sun's shining down on me."

I struggled to contain the irrationality of my emotions. "Yes," I said awkwardly.

Lucy came back with two steaming cups of coffee. Daisy thanked the girl, who promptly sauntered away.

A device at the table beeped, and she pulled out a wallet from her pocket. I held my breath. There was bound to be money in it.

But there wasn't. Just perfectly organized credit cards, which she perused before sticking one into the machine.

She pulled it out, smiling gently.

"Why'd you decide to show up for coffee? What made you change your mind?"

"I just wanted someone to talk to," I admitted, the sudden burst of honesty surprising me.

"I'm sure a pretty girl like you has plenty of people to talk to."

"No. I don't really make friends and me and my boyfriend don't talk like we used to."