Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)
Humming along to whatever 80's pop song Chase had set up on the jukebox before school, I loaded up my tray with empty dishes from various tables around the Café. The breakfast rush was over an hour or two ago but it was never too early to start preparing for the lunch goers. The customers were scattered around the dining area with plenty of space between each of them. I collected what I could and headed back to the counter.
On my way, I glanced toward the front. It was a nice day out. It's been almost too nice lately. Thankfully I was able to afford an air conditioning system; otherwise everyone and everything in this building would probably melt and I'd be mopping us off the floor. I finally arrived behind the counter and unloaded the dishes into the sink. Mary sighed, ambling past me, and leaned into the front counter to my right. "It's been a busy morning," she exhaled.
"Very. Are you surviving?" I asked, glancing at her with a light smile.
She rounded her eyes a moment in a gesture. "Barely—at least this place has air conditioning, though."
"Amen to that." We both laughed. Working here with Mary has been fun. I was always good at co-working, social situations. But this feels like family. It's definitely a lot better than working nights at the diner. With that thought, I made a mental note to remember to call Betsy and catch up. I've probably waited way too long for that. The small chime above the door tinkled and Mary nudged my side.
"You've got another one," she said, tilting her head toward the door. "Looks kind of shady."
I sighed lightly. "We've had plenty of those. I can handle it. Be right back."
She nodded and I grabbed my pen and paper off the counter beside her. This new customer took a seat at the table closest to the front door, near the right corner of the Café. Mary was right about looking a little shady. Iffy would probably be the better term to use. Ball cap, heavy jacket, with that quiet/brooding vibe. To any normal, sane person it would be a little intimidating. But I live in Hell's Kitchen.
And it's not like I couldn't handle it if something went array. I'm more capable than I've ever been—thanks to Dani and a little help from her friends at S.H.I.E.L.D. I'd never taken any self-defense classes before, even though I probably should've, but it went better than I expected. More like I went better than expected. I inhaled and stepped up beside the table.
"Welcome to Angel's, can I get you anything?" I asked, putting on a polite smile.
He glanced up, just enough to see his eyes under the rim of his hat. He looked worn, weathered, with tired features. "Coffee, please. Black." His voice didn't match his appearance. It was deep and a bit raspy, but it was a light tone that seemed polite enough to almost pass for happy. I nodded once. "Alright. I'll be right back," I replied. I turned and shuffled back to the counter.
"So? Do I need to beat him up for you?" Mary asked, teasing.
I chuckled and shook my head. "No, sheesh. He just wanted coffee."
"Just coffee?" she raised an eyebrow, leaning a hip into the sink.
I went to the coffee machine and started filling a mug. I eyed her a second. "Just what are you getting at?"
"Well, a lot of good looking men seem to always come in just wanting coffee and there could only be two answers for that," she held up a finger, as if she were solving some mysterious crime. I sighed, turning to face her with the coffee in hand. "Either they are really just coming for the coffee, or they're coming for you."
I scoffed. "What? You're here, too."
"Yeah, but they only ever deal with you."
"Well, I'm just fine going solo for now," I chuckled. "So you and your bad Sherlock Holmes impersonation will just have to settle for the first reason." Her lips screwed up to one side in an expression but I ignored her with a smirk and headed back out into the dining area with Mr. Grumpy's coffee in hand. I hurried over and set the mug down on the table in front of him. "There you go. Just let me know if you need anything else."
"Thank you," he nodded once.
Thankfully he wasn't looking at me when my eyebrow involuntarily twitched up a second. Nothing else moved. Just my eyebrow. I had to mentally slap myself and also remind myself that I was serving a paying customer and I was at work—I had to act professional. I nodded in return and went deeper into the dining area to check up on some of the customers. Refill drinks, see if they needed something else, and offer them the special of the day.
I let Mary pick it this time, so we're serving lemon cake today. I glanced back at Mr. Grumpy's table after a minute to see if I could catch a reaction. It wasn't in the order, but I'd secretly slipped a smiling face of foam on top of the black coffee. He was eyeing the coffee, presumably in thought, fingering the mug a bit. I smiled and hurried back to waiting tables.
Three of the four other tables didn't need serving. But the fourth one needed drink refills so I rushed the cups back to the counter, refilled them, and headed back out. I smiled approaching the table—two young-looking women. "Here you are, ladies," I set the drinks in front of them both in turn. "Can I get you anything else?"
The brunette one of the two politely smiled and shook her head. "No, thank you. I think we're alright for now."
"Okay. I'll be right over at the counter, so just flag me down if you change your mind." They both nodded, saying their mixed thank you's, and I turned to head back to the counter. Just as I did I heard a hellish sound. An unearthly loud squeal and a series of hisses startled me. I whirled left. Some guy from one of the other tables was shoeing Rueben away—with his foot. Professionalism flew out the window. My mouth dropped open.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" I called, stepping over. Rueben, the poor thing, he trotted away as quickly as he could, moving to hide upstairs. The man that kicked my cat turned to me with a disgruntled look. "That rat wouldn't leave me alone," he complained.
Both my eyebrows rose as I made an 'excuse me?' expression. I was about to say something when chair legs screeching and a male voice behind me spoke up before I could, "Apologize." I turned a bit to see who'd spoken, but I already had a pretty good idea. The idiot that kicked Rueben scoffed with a look that said the notion was absurd.
"For what?" he spat. "If she would keep her stupid fur ball out of the dining room, there wouldn't be a problem."
My blood boiled and I stared at the man, agape. Mr. Grumpy slowly made his way around the two tables between him and the situation and stopped a foot from the idiot in front of me. He was considerably taller than the idiot, and a lot more broad-shouldered. "I said…apologize to her," Mr. Grumpy said, his tone low. The idiot looked highly uncomfortable right then, but he didn't back down.
He scowled. "No."
It happened in a second. I barely had time to comprehend what was happening before Mr. Grumpy went full Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator on the guy, grabbing him by his shirt collar and slamming him on top of the black metal table like it was nothing. A small gasp escaped me as I instinctively jolted back a step. Mr. Grumpy got up in the idiot's face. "Apologize, you piece of trash," he demanded.
"No! Now let me go!" The idiot squirmed, trying to break free. It wasn't working. Suddenly Mr. Grumpy's arm was winding back and he was sending his fist into the idiot's jaw. I counted three hard hits. My hand moved to cover my mouth as he hit him a fourth time. Blood was sprinkled on the idiot's shirt and probably on my floor. "Let's try this again," Mr. Grumpy seethed. "Apologize."
"I don't want his apology," I spoke up, my voice remaining as steady as it could. Mr. Grumpy instantly twisted to see me. The spark in his eyes was wild, feral. But it was even and controlled at the same time. He eyed me for a second and I thought maybe he'd let the guy go. Instead, he turned back to the idiot and hefted him off, then slammed him down atop the table face first with a hard heave. The sound of the table cracking echoed loudly throughout the room.
It snapped in half from the force and the idiot's face hit the floor, hard. There were other disturbing sounds but I couldn't tell if they were from the guy or the table. Mr. Grumpy's chest heaved as he turned a little more toward me. All I could do was stare for a bewildered second.
"Why did you do that?" I practically screeched. His eyes were on me in a second and my skin itched under his intense gaze. I inhaled to calm myself. "You need to leave. Now."
Something flickered across his face and it drooped. He suddenly looked like a kicked puppy with saddened, drooping eyes and a downcast expression. Despite his violence toward the idiot that kicked my cat, he didn't lift a finger—just turned and sauntered out of the Café without a word. I watched the exit for a moment to make sure he wasn't coming back. Then I moved over closer to the guy bleeding on my floor.
Dani's POV
(Nightwing27th)
"So, what's the job?" May asked.
"Don't know," Hunter didn't even look up at her as he replied. Though he's still determined to see this through, he's very bored. He wanted Ward dead yesterday.
"When's it going down?"
"Don't know."
"Any idea where?"
"Not yet."
"You do realize the point of intelligence gathering, is to gather intelligence?" May put her hand on her hip, becoming more annoyed by the second.
"The point is," I said, "we're moving up the food chain."
"And that lunatic Kebo is finally bringing us in on a job," Hunter added. We were meeting in a parking garage. Unfortunately, there wasn't much we could tell her. Ward is still Ward, and Hydra is doubling with each day. But we already knew that. And with Ward at the helm, who knows what this new Hydra will be capable of.
"Or luring you into a trap," she argued. "We have to be smart about this."
"We are," I said. She glanced at me. She knew I was serious. I have my head in the right spot. It's Hunter she's worried about. She looked back at him with a sigh.
"It's not complicated, really. Just point, shoot, repeat as necessary," he said. A slight grin crossed my face. Everything sounds better with his accent.
"You don't have enough intel. It's sloppy." She looked at me. "Even for you."
"We're doing the best we can," I said. "Getting into Hydra isn't as easy as it looks. And it's even harder staying in Hydra. You saw what it took to get us this far."
"Look, if it's a chance to find Ward, it's worth it."
She took a step closer to him. "What happens if you walk into a room full of Hydra enforcers with guns pointed at your head?"
"That's what you're here for- to help. Try to keep up, love."
"This isn't funny, Hunter."
"Yeah, I've been telling him that since this whole thing started," I said.
He took a few steps away, before whipping around. "I didn't ask for you to come along. I don't need a bloody babysitter!"
"Then try acting like it." May crossed her arms. "There are innocent lives at risk."
"There's always lives at risk!" he shouted at her. He paused and sighed. He seemed to regroup in his mind. "You were there- both of you…when Bobbi was bleeding out in my arms. Ward did that. If I have a shot at finding him, I'm taking it." He looked at me. "You should know what that's like." He held his stare a second, then started pacing.
I know exactly what that's like. Matt and I have had our fair share of close calls. But he's referring to when Nobu and Fisk nearly killed us. I sighed. "I do. I wanted Fisk's head- and I nearly got it several times. But I held back and waited for the right moment, to get him on my terms. Last time, Ward had you two on his terms. This will be different."
"Look…I want Ward as bad as you do," May said. "But I don't think his life is worth yours, Bobbi's, or Dani's."
He nodded. "That we can agree on." I recognized the look in his eyes, and I could tell May did, too.
"Once you get the time and place, call me."
"Yes, mum." Hunter turned and walked away. I sighed and looked at May. Her glare said a thousand words. "I know," I nodded. "Him before Ward." She nodded. I turned and then jogged to catch up with Hunter. "Hey!" I shouted as I caught up.
He stopped and turned around, not looking very pleased to see me. "What now?"
"I told you what happened with Fisk so you knew I understood what you and Bobbi are going through…not so you could throw it back in my face, when it best suited you. Whether you like it or not, we're a team on this. My life depends just as much on you as yours does on me. Without me VOLUNTERING to do this, May never would've agreed to any of this and you'd never have had this shot at Ward."
"I know." He dropped his head and then looked at me. "I know and I'm sorry- about the comment. That was out of line, even for me. But…why didn't you kill him? Fisk. Why let it drag out and give him one more go around?"
"My partner has taught me a lot…one of those things being that there's another way to do it. And, had I gotten my way, Fisk would've died in the most painful way possible."
He raised an eye brow. "And that's a bad thing?"
"No," I shrugged. "But, this way, he's going to sit in a cell for the rest of his life. For him, that'll be more painful than any form of torture I could ever think of." I sighed. "But, with or without Ward, you two will get through it."
"Like you and Mystery Man?" He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets and then started walking toward the car. "Seriously, what is with the codenames?"
I chuckled. "You'd know if you ever spent the night kicking but in a mask. S.H.I.E.L.D….way different than being a vigilante." We went back to our apartment and then wait for Hydra to contact us. They texted a few hours later with a time and place. It took twenty minutes to get to the alley where they wanted to meet. And then we waited.
It seemed like forever. Mainly, though, cause it was. "Three hours," I sighed.
"I know," he moaned. He glanced around then looked at me. "You look very…strange with red hair."
"It'll take Ward longer to recognize me. And, I'm not a fan either."
A car pulled into the end of the alley. It drove straight toward us, stopping right next to us. Two men climbed out of the front of the car. They walked around to the end of it. "Clearly," Hunter said, "punctuality ain't one of Hydra's core values."
"Funny," the one said. "Hands on the car."
Hunter scoffed. "I thought we were past that." We both walked to the car and put our hands on it. They felt our pockets. Mine were empty. But they found a cell phone in Hunter's. They guy snapped it in half and tossed it.
"Gotta make sure you're clean," the guy said. "Director's orders."
"Director?" I asked.
"It's a thing with the boss. Some kind of S.H.I.E.L.D. nonsense." He walked to the trunk and opened it. "In you go."
"Oh, I ain't getting in the bloody boot," Hunter said. "It stinks of rotten bananas in there."
"Does, doesn't it?" he stared at Hunter, then motioned toward the trunk. "Get in." I felt the other guy push me toward it.
"Wait," I said. "Both of us?"
"Are you bloody mad?" Hunter asked. The guy just stared back at us. Hunter and I glanced at each other. We knew we had no choice in the matter. I sighed. Hunter shook his head and then climbed in. I'm so glad we're both skinny people. Otherwise, this would never work. I climbed in after him. Hunter shoved himself as far back as he could.
I pressed my back into his stomach, squeezing in. The guy looked down at us and smiled. "Get comfy, now. It's gonna be a long ride." Then he slammed the trunk closed. I sighed and Hunter moaned. This is not how I pictured infiltrating Hydra. Crammed in the trunk of a four door, spooning with an obnoxious brit, for who knows how many hours. Someone shoot me now.
"Never question my loyalty to this mission," I said. I moved as far forward as I could, trying to give him some more space. Our legs were a tangled mess at the end. The car started driving. My eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness.
"Yeah…I know."
"You're lucky my boyfriend has no idea where I am…or what I'm touching, right now."
"Speaking of which, if you could move your-" He started to say. I knew what he was getting at and scooted my pelvis forward, another inch away from him. He sighed in relief. "Thank you. Yeah…if you could not mention this to Bobbi-"
"It's not going in my report," I scoffed.
"Okay, deal."
I have no idea how long we were in that trunk together. Minutes turned into an hour, an hour turned into a few. At some point Hunter started snoring. I sighed, with nowhere to run. I think I even dosed off, myself. The car came to a hard stop and I was jolted out of my half sleep. I heard the front car doors open and then nudged Hunter. He moaned. The trunk door opened and sunlight blasted us.
It's morning? How long were we in there? I climbed out gingerly, sore and stiff. Hunter right behind me. "Where are we?" he asked.
"Welcome to where all the fun begins," the guy said. The same one who wanted us in the trunk. He pushed us foreword and we started walking. We looked to be at a ware house of some kind. "Director's still mulling over a code name for the place. 'Nemesis'. 'Omega Point'." We walked past a few vans full of guns. Past that were some tables with an assembling line of people. They were putting together and loading guns.
"Sounds a bit too S.H.I.E.L.D. for my liking," Hunter said. And I agree. Ward isn't rebuilding Hydra. He's making his own evil S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Rumor has it Director spent some time with them."
We walked past a corked board with some maps on it. Hunter and I stopped and stared at it. "Planning a raid?" I asked.
The guy stepped in front of the maps, "Always planning something." He nodded behind us. "You can ask the Director yourself." We both froze.
"So…" I recognized his voice instantly. "These the new guys?"
"Yeah," the guy said. "Go on, turn around, Richy." He gave Hunter a shove.
"Yeah, why so shy?" Ward asked. I sighed. I turned around looking at Hunter as I did. Ward smiled when he saw me, but I didn't see that spark of recognition in his eyes. So, I was in the clear. I nudged Hunter. I looked at him. He locked eyes with me and I knew what he was about to do.
"My name isn't Richy…" he turned around and faced Ward. "…Director." Ward pulled out his gun and suddenly everyone in the room was shooting at us. Hunter leapt over a wooden crate and then hid behind a large metal one. I grabbed a gun off the table next to me, got down on my knees. I fired a few rounds Ward's way before tucking and rolling across the room. I managed to get behind a metal shipping crate in the far back left.
I glanced over at Hunter and he had a gun and was returning fire. I looked for Ward but his men already had him stashed in the back room. He was still returning fire, though. That means I have a shot at hitting him. I shot any and everything that could shoot back. I emptied my clip and then tossed the gun. I turned back into the crates. I weaved through until I found Hunter.
I snagged another gun and then continued firing. Hunter and I slowly backed up, disappearing into the shipping crates. The shooting stopped after a few more rounds, and I knew they were looking for us. "We need to split up," Hunter whispered.
"No!" I whispered yelled. "Are you crazy?"
"We need to get Ward."
"I know, but-" Before I could finish, he ran off. I sighed and began to follow, then instantly stopped and went the other way when I caught shadows of armed men. I sighed. Hunter, you're an idiot.
"Oh, come on!" Ward yelled. "You two weren't dumb enough to come here alone, were you?" I worked my way to the far wall. "Is that you, Dani?"
"Why don't you come here and find out?" I said.
"Oh, it is you." I could hear the amusement in his voice. "Hunter, I can see coming alone, but…not you Dani. In fact, I'm surprised to see you at all. Thought you wrote me off when I left S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Sorry," Hunter yelled back, "this coming from the same guy who shot his own girlfriend by mistake?" That was a good one. There was a long pause, so I know that stung.
"I was hoping you were dead, and Bobbi was coming. At least that rematch would've been more even."
"Hardly," I yelled. "I heard it took two of you after hours of torture."
"Yep. Lesson learned," Ward said. "Should've rigged the door with a grenade."
I sighed. I slowly started working my way to the front. I think there are at least a dozen men out here. I turned the corner as a man turned toward me. I put two in his chest and then kept going. That makes eleven. I suddenly heard gunshots ring out. I looked toward the sound and saw May standing on top of one of the crates about twenty feet away. She fired a few more times and then jumped down. She must have Hunter. Good. That means I can focus on Ward.
"May…" I heard Ward say. "Is that you? 'Cause that would be great. I mean, I was hoping to hold out for a little while longer." I rolled my eyes and kept going. I ran into another guy and shot him. I heard shots in the distance. "I'm so glad you're here, May…you, too, Dani." I grumbled and pushed forward, shooting two men. "I was planning on heading out with a truck full of weapons that Hunter so kindly supplied. Looking to cause a little mayhem, draw S.H.I.E.L.D. out, when instead…you came to me."
"You're trapped, Ward," May yelled.
"Hey. Don't interrupt. Not before you see my surprise."
I walked up next to May. She looked at me and nodded. I returned the nodded, just as a cell phone slid out in front of us. It was playing a video. I looked a little closer and saw Andrew on it. As in May's ex husband. "That's a live feed, in case you were wondering," Ward said. "Dr. Garner's on his way to teach a class right now. Psych 301, I believe. I've got my men on him right now."
"He's bluffing," Hunter whispered. He was hiding behind a crate across the aisle from us.
"Watching him die like this isn't quite the same as, oh, let's say, holding the woman you love in your arms while she breathes her last breath. But, hey…it's the best I could do on such short notice."
"He's trying to get into your head. The video is fake."
"May," I said. She looked at me. I could see the amount of indecision on her face. "You can't take that chance."
"If I don't call off my men in the next thirty seconds," Ward said, "Dr. Andrew Garner, the ex Mr. May, is a dead man. All you have to do is put your weapons downs, and I'll let you go."
"You're lying!" May said.
"I'm not. Give you my word, May."
"He has a warehouse full of guns here, that I brought him," Hunter said. "A lot of people will die, May. May?"
"It's Andrew," she said.
"I'm sorry." Hunter quickly left his hiding spot, making a bee line for Ward.
"Hunter!" I rounded the corner and followed him. May covered my back, taking out a few guys. Hunter was ten feet ahead of me. He ran into the room Ward was in and I lost sight of him. Some guy came out of nowhere. He smacked me with the butt of his gun. I stumbled and caught myself. I spun, a stray bullet clipping my arm. I shot the guy and then ran into the room.
Hunter fired a shot just as Ward jumped out a window. Hunter ran to the window. Blood was on the wall next to it, so I know he got him. I lowered my gun and walked to him. He fired a few shots out the window. I stood a few feet to his left and watched as Ward drove away. I was fuming on the inside, my jaw clenched.
Hunter gave up and stopped shooting. He lowered his gun and then turned toward me. Without hesitation, I decked him. Then I turned and stopped when I saw May. She was not happy. I've been on her bad side and it is not somewhere you want to be. I would feel sorry for Hunter if he wasn't such an idiot.
I walked up to May. I put my hand on her shoulder. She broke her gaze from Hunter and looked at me. She then pulled out her phone and tried to call her ex husband. But, I'm afraid, It's too late for him. Because of Hunter's quest for revenge, a man might be dead. One that could've been avoided. I sighed and dropped my gun.
Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)
I made a groaning sound of frustration, practically stabbing the cash register buttons with my fingers. Once again the stupid thing was having fits. And once again it was a busy day and I had customers that would have to wait. Again. I called the company to get it fixed or maybe just some troubleshooting techniques. But they said that the only way to fix it would be to have someone actually look at the machine.
And that wouldn't be possible until next week. It was so frustrating. It wasn't like this model was old—it was brand new! Stupid corporate-
"You'll never guess who just walked in the door," Mary suddenly said, coming over to me from the hot plate. I exhaled. Calm down, Alison. It's just a cash register.
I glanced up at her, inhaling. "Who?"
"It's mister happy fists," she replied, crossing her arms. "He's back for more." I instantly looked over at the front of the Café. Sure enough, Mr. Grumpy was sitting at the same table by the door in the same seat, in the same position. I groaned and looked to Mary with pleading eyes. She held up a hand. "Don't worry—I got it," she nodded once, and then headed out into the dining area. I honestly don't know where I would be without Mary working here.
She's like the protective, responsible, wise older sister I never had. I may have been parenting longer than she has but I think I actually am the one learning from her. I shook the forsaken cash register a little and tried the key. It wouldn't even turn in the slightest. A sound that was a mixture of a groan and a helpless whine escaped me and I dropped my forehead onto the top of the machine. I might as well just buy a new one.
The clearing of a throat caused me to lift my head. "Um, Alison?" It was Mary, giving me an odd look. I sighed and stood up straight, readjusting my sweater. "Let me guess," I said, dryly. "He wants coffee?"
"I don't know. He only wants to speak to you," she announced, apologetically.
"Of course he does." I slumped, overwhelmed and over stressed. This is ridiculous. My cash register won't work and some psychotic guy with overactive fists won't leave me alone. Just what I needed. Inhaling, I squared my shoulders and nodded once, then started out for the dining area. I didn't really know what I would say when I arrived at his table. What do you say exactly?
I was already stressed from another busy afternoon arguing with the cash register. Sighing, I stepped up beside the table. "What are you doing back here?" I asked, tiredly. He was virtually in the same outfit—from what I could tell from this angle. And his mood seemed the same as yesterday, as well. He stood up from his chair and I took a half step back to make more space between us. You don't know how tall a person is until they're standing in front of you.
And this guy had at least a foot on me, if not more. He looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm sorry about the table," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of twenties. "This should cover the cost of replacing it." The gesture surprised me. I didn't peg him for the remorseful type. Hesitantly, I took the money, a bit in shock. As soon as I did he started around me for the door. What bad guy breaks something and then pays to fix it?
A pang of guilt hit my chest and I sighed. "Wait," I turned around. Thankfully I'd caught him before he went completely out the door. Keeping the money didn't feel right. I wouldn't be able to make myself even if I wanted to. I walked over to him and held out the bills. "Keep your money. It's a really sweet gesture, but…I can't take it."
He seemed to understand, taking the money, and sliding it away into his pocket. I inhaled, "If you want coffee, it's on the house today." I smiled a closed-mouthed smile and headed back to the counter. Mary was busy slicing cheese for sandwiches when I returned. But she didn't seem to find it hard to start talking. "So? Did you kick him out?" she asked, an inch of humor to her tone.
I went back to fiddling with the cash register, slamming my fingers into the buttons. "Nope."
"What? Why?" I looked to see her and she'd stopped cutting to give me a bewildered look. "He's obviously trouble." Something caught my eye to the left and I glanced in that direction. Mr. Grumpy sat back down at his table. I guess he decided to stay.
"I know," I answered, heading for the coffee machine.
She exhaled, shaking her head, and resumed cutting. "I will never understand your reasoning, Alison," she grumbled, under her breath. Quite frankly, I don't think I will either. But I wasn't about to tell her that. Acting like you know what you're doing when you're completely lost and spiraling out of control is an art form, and I feel confident that I've mastered it. Appearance is key.
I filled a mug with steaming coffee. It was funny watching the look on his face last time, so I sprung for the foam again and drew a wide smiling face on the surface of the black liquid. Without saying a word, I went to his table and dropped off the coffee, and then came back to the counter in one fail swoop.
I stepped up to the cash register and tried the key once more. Nothing. It wouldn't even budge or give at all. So I dropped the key and held up my hands. "I give up," I shook my head at the situation. "I'll just wait a week for the stupid technician." I grabbed my tray then and made to head out into the dining area. On my way around the corner of the counter, I glanced at Mr. Grumpy. Once again he was eyeing his coffee.
But this time there was the ghost of a smile present on his lips. I found myself smiling as I continued on to check on the other customers.
