Heart Pulled to Pieces

8-Everything back but you

The last Monday of August was rainy, cool, and miserable. I had been kept up the night before by Beth and Gaylen. I understood that that was their last week together before he returned to Greece for school, but they didn't need to be so loud. They had quieted for about an hour after I pounded on the door and reminded them I had to get up for work. Because I didn't sleep, I was up and out the door much earlier than necessary.

Arriving at the mall long before anyone else, I used the keys to the main door for the first time. I went into the store and cranked some music, starting the shuffle needed to prepare for the Tuesday releases. After that was done, I still had lots of time to kill before anyone from the café would show up. I finished the Monday paperwork, cleaned the store, and organized the stockroom. By the time I was finished, it was quarter after eight. Time to get that sweet, sweet caffeine.

“Wow,” Frank said as I emerged from the back. He stood in the middle of the store, sniffing the air as he looked around wide eyed. “How long have you been here?”

“Too long," I said, heading for the gate. "I'm going to run down and get a coffee."

"Yeah," He said, still seeming dazed as I stepped into the hallway.

I walked into the coffee shop a couple minutes later, seeing only Tony behind the counter. He called my drink to the barista as he punched it into the register.

“Hey you,” He said with a grin.

“Hey,” I replied eyeing up the muffins.

“Oh no, what’s wrong. Does this have anything to do with Beth calling in sick?” Tony asked, pulling my attention away from the delicious pastries.

“She called in sick so she could have sex all day?” I wanted to stay angry, but I was too tired. “We should all be so lucky.”

“Ooh, someone’s got their panties in a bunch.” Tony commented as he retrieved my favorite muffin.

“Do you realize how long it's been since I got laid?” I asked as I was handed my muffin.

Tony nodded and smiled sympathetically. “I bet you can’t wait for Gaylen to get the hell back to Greece.”

“No,” I shook my head after taking a sip of my drink. “I just wish Beth would learn that she’s not required to scream at the top of her lungs every time she has a....”

“Good morning.” Nikki sang as she stepped past me. “Change in drink today Tony. I’ll have two Americanos.”

The change was not lost on me. “What’s new with you, Nikki?” I asked with false enthusiasm.

“I think I made some advancement in the Robert and Nicole Department.” She smiled smugly. “We talked all last night.”

“Oh?” I said, though I lost my will to fake genuine interest.

“Oh yeah, we IMed all last night. We flirted, talked a little dirty, and well, I think I made a new impression on him.” She giggled.

“Great. Happy humping.” I said bitterly before turning and leaving the shop, not caring if they started talking about me.  

When I got back to the store I pushed the gate open and closed it with more force than I probably should have, causing a racket that I noticed caught the attention of the art store employees.  

“Andi, you okay?” Frank asked from behind the counter.

“Frank, can I work in the back this morning? I’ll do the receiving and signage, and all that crappy stuff.” I asked, trying to make the work sound as unappealing as possible.