Brandon counted the minutes until closing for the third time that evening. But there was still half an hour left. Why did the night have to drag on so slowly? He still had a headache from dealing with Sidney hours before, and now it was accompanied by a runny nose and coughing. He hoped he wasn't coming down with a cold, though it wouldn't surprise him. It seemed to be going around lately,
and todays trek though the snow wouldn't have helped any.

At least he wouldn't have to walk back. Rachael would be waiting for him in the car at closing.
Then He'd have to tell her about the next two full work days. What fun. What he was really looking forward to was sleeping.

Brandon leaned back against and sighs. Tonight he would dream of him, Rachael and Daniel on vacation. On a tropical beach...just relaxing, having fun...And being happy.

The computer screen blinked, then went into its screen-saver mode. Brandon jumped at the sudden change, having zoned out for a few minutes. He forced himself to relax, and leaned against the seat and sighed. He was so tired, and after last night he knew he was sick. He was tempted to close early tonight...

He coughed harshly in the silence, taking a few minutes to catch his breath afterward. Damn cold. Why did events always turn worse after they were already bad? He shook his head,
remembering the conversation he had with his wife the previous night. She had been furious after learning about his extended hours, though she didn't say why. perhaps it was time for another discussion...

With confidence, he picked up the phone, trying to get this done before a work crisis arose.
Which would only be a matter of time given his luck. Brandon frowns in annoyance when the phone reaches it's fifth ring. "Come on, pick up! What are you doing that's taking so long?
Painting your nails for the fifth this ho-"

"Hello?"

"Finally!" Brandon covered the receiver as he coughed, then continued. "I thought we should talk...since we didn't last night."

Rachael sighed. "This isn't a good time..."

"There never seems to be a good time." Brandon grunted. "Are you doing something?"

She paused. "No, but-"

"Come on, Rach," Brandon interrupted. "There's been too much of this lately. This silence..."

"I know...I'm sorry...I just...listen, I have to go to my sisters. I'm taking Daniel with me. I can't keep her waiting."

Brandon silently groaned, then nodded as if she were there. "When will you be back?"

"...I don't know..." Rachael hangs up, not wanting to waste any more time.

Brandon stares at the phone, trying to comprehend what the last statement meant. Was she leaving? No...she would be back, she just didn't know when. She wouldn't walk out on him without a word. Would she? No...she just needed space... even though that thought pained him just as much. He loved her...how had things gotten so out of hand?

Muffled voices drifted though the office as he put down the phone, steadily growing louder. He turns his head to try and decipher what was going on without having to move. The noises stopped suddenly, followed by footsteps and one of his employees appearing at the door.
He groaned, already knowing what was wrong...a customer with a complaint.

Michelle smiled weakly as she tried to appear cheerful for her grumpy boss. She ran her finger though her short dark hair as she murmured. "Yeah...customer wants to talk to you..."

Brandon sighed, rolling his eyes before he stood up. He brushed past Michelle, who appeared content to stay in the office for the time being. He grimaced as he approached the front counter,
immediately recognizing the customer.

"I do believe you were banned yesterday, so you better have a good reason for returning."

Sidney stared wide-eyed at Brandon, as if he had no idea what the other man was talking about.
"uh..wha-"

Brandon cut him off. "I'll take that to mean you don't. Get out before I call the cops."

Sidney sneered, leaning forward to yell in Brandon's face. "You can't do that! It's against the law!
Now shut up and take my order!"

Brandon growled softly, backing away. He was in no mood to be 'customer friendly', especially with the moron screaming at him and making his head hurt. "Idiot. Get out before I leap over this counter and strangle you to death!" He glared, daring Sidney to say anything else.

Sidney grunted, but retreated. "This isn't the last word!" With that, he slammed the door and disappeared from view.

Brandon sighed, turning away from the counter as he tried to calm himself. All the employees dared not come out to the front, not after that little show. He could hear them working with the oven in the back. He regretted taking up the shifts in Brian's place. There was no way he'd last if there were any more 'customers' like Sidney. He'd snap...

He shook his head as he heard the door open, signaling another customer. Alright, time to get back to work.

"Welcome to Dimono's. How can I help yo-" Brandon stopped abruptly when he turned to face the customer, and immediately recognized him. "Alex?"

Alex jerked in surprise at hearing his name, having been looking over the menu on the counter.
He looked as surprised as Brandon. Brandon...his old friend...working in a pizza place.

"Brandon..." Alex started, then paused to think of what to say. "It's...been a long time."

Brandon nodded, glad there weren't any other customers in the store. He wanted to have some time to talk to Alex. It wasn't everyday you saw your best friend after seven long years! "Yeah.
What a surprise that you walked into my store on my shift. Amazing. So, how has it been for you?"

Alex chuckled slightly, grinning as he spoke. "Well, I'm in the Acceleration Games. Been competing for a few years now. What about you?" He was curious. The last he heard of Brandon was aspiring to get a mathematics degree and a high end job.

Brandon sighed. "Well, first off...do you remember Rachael? From high school?"

Alex nodded as he thought about the girl. How hurt Brandon had looked, at the first dance of the school year. He frowned a bit. "Yeah...I remember...that bi-"

Brandon interrupted quickly. "I married her."

That made Alex blink, but he quickly recovered and gestured for his friend to continue.

"And we have a son. Seven years old. We named him Daniel." Brandon smiled, then changed the subject. "Anyway, what brings you here?"

"A game. It's being held a few miles out of town, and it's this next weekend. Say...does your son like sports?" Alex questioned, and idea forming in his head. He didn't even want for in answer.
"Come to the game. It think you'll both like it."

Brandon considered. "But I don't think I'd be able to get tickets in time."

"No problem." Alex blurted happily. "I'll get you back stage passes. You'll have the best view"
He chuckled.

"Wow...thanks Alex. I'll be there." Brandon wasn't about to pass up seeing his old friend in action, and besides, he did want to introduce Alex to his family.

Alex smiled warmly, then remembered why he came. "Oh! I was picking up three pizzas..." He groaned slightly as he mumbled to herself. "Fidget's going to kill me for taking so long."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "Yeah...you always were the "friendly" one, talking to anybody who came within ten feet of you." He located the boxes and gave them to Alex. "Don't worry about payment. They're on me."

"Thanks. I should be going. See you at the race." Alex winked and took the pizzas to his car. He turned and waved again before entering his car and driving off.

Brandon nodded to himself. "Definitely."