A Terrible Masterpiece

Chapter 3

Summer's Solace was a calm and serene oasis amid the summer heat. With white wood bookcases and farm-style work tables on the sides of the café, it was a light, cheerful place. A brickwork archway leads away from the coffee shop and into rooms filled with antiques and artisan furnishings. The crimson has diminished in intensity, and the white splotches on the earth are becoming more visible. Plants in blue and yellow pots offered a splash of color to shelves and sunny, flat surfaces. Soft country music played softly from unseen speakers. It had the feel of a high-end spa rather than a café. I looked outside and couldn't help but notice that Betty's dance studio's door was wide open. A huge public bulletin board sat right inside the entryway. The corkboard was peppered with dance classes, acting courses, and upcoming performances in equally spaced increments. A gray-washed table sat beneath it, displaying various flyers.

Oh for heaven's sake, what was he doing there?

"I can't tell if you're playing a game of I spy with my little eye or you're an aspiring Joe Goldberg," I was startled by Evelyn who sat in front of me. "I'm guessing the latter." I rolled my eyes at her and took a sip of my coffee. I almost spat out my drink when I saw him helping another person carry boxes.

"Look at him, he's treating the town like it's a charity case!" I exasperated.

"Aly, there's this thing called helping, and it's a natural thing to do– something Satan's little helpers like us wouldn't understand."

"I'm just saying, it's 7 a.m., everyone's barely awake and he's out here acting like everybody's hero. He looks like the type who takes a shower before 10 AM and people like that scare the shit out of me. It's almost like they have their shit together. I mean, who in this time and age has their shit together? It's impossible! You graduate college and you think you'll be the rich, hot, independent, single woman, but the truth is, once you've gotten out of college, you turn into this big baby faking their way through adulthood. "

"Oh c'mon now, at least you have independent and single crossed out of your Who-I'm-Supposed-To-Be-List," Evelyn snickers.

"I think in that list, only the word single is crossed out because coffee and I are co-dependent."

"Okay not-so-subtle-hinter, I'll refill your coffee," Evelyn takes my mug and walks to the counter. I threw my hands to my face and took a deep breath.

"Didn't get enough sleep today, huh?"

God, why was Sky's voice everywhere?

Oh.

Shit.

"There are a hundred seats unoccupied, so if you please," I waved my hand, gesturing him to leave.

"You're so kind," He smiled and sits on the seat in front of me.

"Look, I don't have your sweater right now, Sky, and for Pete's sake, it's 7 AM, how are you sashaying through everybody's way like you're the sun with a baby's face from Teletubbies?"

"That might have been the best compliment I've received for quite a while."

"I've only had a cup of coffee out of two, so I'm this close to unleashing a season-worth of Joe Goldberg from You."

"Is Joe Goldberg always your go-to conversation starter?"

"It's a great conversation starter! Their reaction helps me determine if they're straight-up boring, a person with taste, or has serial killer tendencies."