Beyond Denver

Chapter 2

"Here it is!" Meggie exclaims after showing me how to fix a Frappuccino. I try the following recipe in the book, and this time, I am heading toward a hot mocha. The machine is intimidating enough, especially when I steam the milk after pumping the mocha into a cup. I am a disaster when milk spills all over my shirt, and I have to clean it with a rag. Dark spots of chocolate are still everywhere.

"This is common when you don't have work experience to put on a resume," Meggie laughs. I am glad there aren't customers to judge my poor barista skills, and Sylvia has gone for the day. It is just me and Meggie.

"Surprising as it is, but..." she starts. It is quiet this time of day on the weekends now. I think the Farmer's Market is destroying the Business. Believe it or not, I made more money in the winter!" Meggie looks at me and then points to the crowd, walking around the square and bumping into one another. Another crowd is together in one little spot.

She complains, "They act like ants going after sugar. It happens whenever that tent gives away cheese samples," Meggie scoffs as she grabs a red apple and gives it a bite, "I fucking hate when I don't make any tips around here. I swear to go all the way there sometime and tell that cheese man to fuck himself. Sorry about my language, but that's how I feel."

"He is trying to make money too."

"This is survival, isn't it?"

I shrug. Aside from what I had read before moving here, I only know a little about Madison or Wisconsin's life. Meggie tells me the city of Four Lakes is a conflagration of artists, musicians, and hippies, aside from the university students. "Also, it is a liberal city where everything is about politics. There are many nonprofits; you can feel this university vibe wherever you go. In my opinion, Madison is the most diverse city in the Midwest. I don't regret moving here."

Meggie could be right. While walking in the city, I saw beautiful old homes and diverse cuisine. State Street seems famous enough for shopping, eating nice food, and eating ice cream. Meggie tells me she lives in a cooperative house, and she doesn't mind sharing the space with twenty-some students. Now that it is July, most of them have gone home for summer, but they are coming back in mid-August.

"You know...I am originally from Green Bay. I left everything I ever had behind for my high school boyfriend. He graduated when I was still in my senior year. After a fight with my parents, I dropped out of school and moved in with him here in Madison. Of course, he broke up with me just a month or so after that. He started living the college life, and I wasn't important anymore. I finished my GED while I cried for him, but I also had to work and save money. My parents didn't want me back. I wasn't accepted at UW and was told to start a technical college first and then transfer."

"He didn't seem like a nice boyfriend in the first place," I tell her.

"Well, here I am. At least he brought me here."

There is so much I wish I could share with Meggie, including my life before coming to Madison and my life before moving to Seattle. I didn't have the perfect life. Meggie had something I didn't and envy, for the most part: freedom. I am relieved when Meggie changes the topic of the conversation to something entirely different. I also like the fact that she is more of a talker than a listener.

"You haven't met Sylvia's nephew. He is so hot and single. He is a free spirit, though. And he is her business partner, too, but just because of his dad. He doesn't give a shit," she chews on her apple.

"What do you mean he doesn't give a shit?"

"He is nice enough, but Sylvia does all the work here while Denver makes most of the money."

"That sounds unfair," I tell Meggie, not understanding why someone wouldn't care about their own Business.

"Well, it is what it is. Maybe he needs a nice girl to help him focus. But...changing the subject, I also met this guy in town. Maybe we could have a double date. Mike and I. You and Sylvia's nephew! I could hook you up with him. Sparrow is the new place in town, and it is a big deal now."

"I'm not interested in dating anyone," I tell her honestly. I came here for a reason—a straightforward reason: to start college, finish college, and never go back home.

"I'm sorry I didn't even ask if you have a boyfriend! Or girlfriend, maybe?" Meggie raises her eyebrows as if she is waiting for an answer. She then unties the apron around her waist and places it under the counter.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

She looks at me doubtfully.

"I sort of lived in a boarding school outside Seattle."

"I would have jumped out of the window if my parents sent me anywhere like that!"

"You couldn't. The windows were shut most of the day," I confess. I don't want to let my anger out. "My dad had high expectations."

"I think most parents do," she says. But deep inside, I think, not like my dad.

"We can still go out tonight," she says.

"I don't know," I stare at her. I last went out a very long time ago. "Besides, Sylvia wanted me back here at six tomorrow morning. I think going out is a bad idea."

Meggie presses her lips together after moving her chair to sit beside me. "I am telling you, girl. Sparrow is a big deal now." Meggie huffs before rushing to the register to attend a customer entering the store. My eyes travel to the door as the guy comes into the store.

But instead of the usual formality of a worker, Meggie welcomes him with a big smile, "What the heck, dude! Where have you been?"

"I've been around enough. You're just too distracted with Mike Winters," he tells her as his head falls back. My head spins with his intriguing smile, but there is one thing I don't like about this boy despite his good-looking features. His tie-dye shirt instantly hurts my eyes with its bright colors. I move around the shop, pretending to clean the counters with a rag. Meggie rushes to hand him a cup of coffee. They whisper something and laugh together.

"New employee?" He asks out loud.

"Yeah. This is Cassidy," she starts an introduction between us. I look at him, and our eyes lock. I move them away from the uncomfortable feeling. The boy stares at me for a little too long.

"Always nice to see a different face around here. I am Denver, and I am technically your boss."

Wow. I assume this is Sylvia's nephew Meggie, whom Meggie talked about a minute ago. He's the lazy dude who makes the big bucks but doesn't do enough for his Business. I can't deny I am impressed with his success, no matter where it came from. After all, Denver is about my age. He already owns a business, and I am about to start school for the same purpose. He can't be older than twenty.

"Sparrow tonight, Denver?" Meggie asks him.

"When I am not there or somewhere else? Are you going, too, the new kid in town?" He looks at me, and my body shivers.

"No," I tell him.

Denver leans his body over the counter, and we are too close. My eyes shift to another direction because I can't handle someone staring at me that close.

"Well, you're the new kid on the block. I might have to drag you over there. Don't make me do it!" He smiles at me and starts playing with my silver bracelet on my left wrist. That makes my heart go twenty miles an hour. I move my arm away from his hands while Denver moves away from the counter.

"Well, I must go. The soccer team is waiting for me."

"Sounds good," Meggie says as Denver leaves through the door quickly. She waits until he is out of sight. Wow, Denver is getting more handsome each day. Don't make him do it!" she repeats his words sarcastically while looking at me. That was hot! "Do you know you both are going to school together? Aren't you going for Business?"

"I doubt we are in the same class. There are hundreds of students on campus."

"Well. Let's talk about Sparrow."

"Meggie, I'm serious. I am not planning on going out there tonight. My shift starts early tomorrow," I throw that as the excuse of the century.

"Don't make him do it," she says.