Five Fellas and a Funeral

Day 3 Part 1: Worrywart

"Eden...?"

I jump at the sound of Ciera's voice, but luckily manage not to spill any of the coffee I'm pouring.

"Y-yeah?"

"Didn't that lady ask for decaf?"

I look at the coffee pot in my hands and notice the "regular" label, "You're right. My mistake."

I dump the coffee down the drain of the expresso machine and start again, using the correct coffee this time.

Ciera walks over to me from the bread counter, her voice hushed as to not disturb the woman chatting on her phone as she waits for her coffee.

"Are you okay? You've been making a lot of mistakes today and that's not like you. Plus you seem distant. Quieter than usual."

I sigh. Nothing gets past my boss, but it does sound like I haven't been disguising my distressed mental state well at all.

"I got a call yesterday. From the police."

Ceira's brow lifts in surprise. She glances into the front of the shop and eyes our lone customer, "Let's talk about this after she leaves."

I nod and reach for a medium coffee cup lid.

After handing the lady her coffee and thanking her for the few coins added to the tip jar, I return my attention to Ciera who asks, "So what is this about you and the police?"

Maybe I shouldn't be telling this to my boss, but she does happen to be one of my only friends. I don't think she considers me one of hers, hopefully confiding in her will help to change that.

"They want to ask me questions about Sophia. About her death, I think."

"That seems normal. She did die of unnatural causes after all."

"I know, that's what I'm worried about! Do you think I could be a suspect?"

"A suspect of what? Murder?" Ciera shakes her head, "Eden, why do you think Sophia was murdered? Wasn't her death ruled a suicide?"

"No, I don't think so, not officially. It could be a murder staged to look like a suicide and that's what the police are trying to find out!"

"Well, if that's the case, I'm sure you'll be cleared. After all, you didn't kill her, right?"

"R-right, but-"

The stern look in Ciera's eyes cause me to stop voicing my doubt, "Look, Eden, it'll be alright. Let the police do their job, I'm sure they'll check you off their list and things will go back to normal."

"I hope so..."

"They will. Now, do you think you can focus or do you need to go home for the day? I can cover for you if you want."

"No, that's okay. I can work."

Working helps the time go by and keep my mind off things. If I went home now I'd just fret about my police interview all day.

"Good. Daisy will be in soon, maybe don't mention this to her unless you want it spread all over the city that you're suspected of murder."

Ciera smiles, and I can't help but crack one too. Daisy, fun and vivacious as she is, can't keep a secret to save her life. I'm glad Ciera can.

I'm lucky to have the two of them.

~~~

As I push open the doors to the police station, one of the first things to catch my eye is the thick sheet of glass between the waiting room and reception.