With boughs of Molly

Dealing

"Sure! Wanna get lunch?"

"What?"
............................

"I asked if you wanted to get lunch." Stevie restated, no shame in his voice, in which Joseph was looking for.

"...we just met." Joseph stated plainly.

"All the better to get to know you! Here, there's a bakery just around the corner who makes the best soup, they give me customer discounts. Don't worry it's on me."

"W- what-"

Before Joseph knew it, he was dragged along the side walk stumbling over his own feet. Who was this guy? And why does he get soup discounts?

Stevie simply kept on pulling until they stopped outside a small, quaint looking place. One that Joseph had never seen before.

"Come on- oh. What's your name?"

Joseph face palmed his face and rubbed the creases on his forehead from his new constant scowl.

"Joseph."

"Well, Hi Joseph." Stevie smiled brightly. He wasn't high, but he sure was living the adrenaline rush when he jumped in front of that car to save Joseph.

Stevie's smile reminded him of someone. It made his heart tingle and he didn't know why. He followed the random boy that he still didn't know the man of into the small shop.

The walls stalk full of cheeses, breads, and biscuits, Joseph  was suprised he hadn't noticed the beautiful shop before. He imagined a tall, beautiful and kind woman to walk up to the counter as the door bell rang. However, this was not the case.

A tall, skinny but muscled man walked up to the counter, smiling at the sight of the curly-haired male. Joseph had thin hair brushed up from his forehead in an attempt for it to avoid falling into his eyes.

"Stevie, how's it goin, jailhouse?" The tall skinny, man laughed. His name tag read 'Butch'. What a friendly name.

"I'm good, Skinner, or whatever you call yourself nowadays. I saved this guy from getting ran over and offered to buy him soup. What's the special?"

"Creamy Tomato. Any thing you want though is on the house. For you and for your pal." Butch laughed.

"What'll you have, Joseph?" Stevie laughed, turning towards him.

"U- um, I'm okay. I don't need anything."

Stevie shrugged. "Suit yourself. Butch, 2 strawberry muffins."

"There's really no need-"

"They aren't for you." Stevie laughed once again, glancing back at Joseph as Butch walked into the back room and Stevie slipped a 50 into the tips bucket.

Joseph walks over to a small cafe table and sits down, rubbing his face with his hand. That smile. Where does that smile come from?

It puzzled Joseph. The curl at the sides of his mouth in which formed a smirk,then the small opening of the pink lips that exposed the teeth. Stevie had a nice smile. But Joseph had seen the same one before, just couldn't remember who it bared.

Stevie returned with the two muffins, one hand holding the plate in which they were placed on, the other rummaging in his messenger bag. He sat down, and let out a light sigh, staring at Joseph.

"Hey. My names' Stevie."

"...hi."

"Are you a user?"

Josephs head turned in confusion. A user?

"A what?"

"You know, a druggie."

"What?! No." Joseph planted firmly, feeling very malevolent that Stevie had assumed him to be the kind of man that smokes joints.

"Oh... well shit. I could've sworn you were high from the way you swaying in 5th middle of the street. Nevermind then I guess."

"Huh?"

"Oh, nothing. None of your business now anyway. Ciao."

" what?"

Stevie left in a flash, leaving Joseph only a rendition of his smile and a slight wink.

Joseph remained stunned at the awkward situation. Why was he sitting at this cafe?

"Hey man, those were for you, you know."

"What?" Joseph questioned, turning towards Butch.

"Stevie? He hates strawberries. Never liked em' for some fuckin reason. You're a special one. I can tell."

Joseph's brow creased in confusion. He then noticed the time and realize his lunch break was near its end. He rushed to get back to work. He then felt the absent bump in his back pocket. His wallet disappeared. He looked at his seat, but then remembered a certain individual who couldve pick- pocketed him easily.

Joseph scoffed, then smirked lightly.

The smile that Stevie bared, it was that same of his wife.