Somewhere on Autumn Woods Drive
Chapter Two
Who knows if you actually want to hear any of this story. Maybe, someday you will look back and think differently of me. I could go as far as to hope you would be proud after sitting through my story.
…
I sat on the once black office chair in the backroom counting our petty. The black and grey work phone was nestled in between my ear and shoulder. My crimson rose stud earring was digging into the skin on my neck. The pricking feeling annoyed me more than as if a fly were buzzing around my head. Not that I would ever compare my boss to a fly.
"Yes Koenma, I spilled the nutmeg. It slipped from my fingers last night while I was trying to close the top of the bag." The monotone pitch in my voice was probably more due to my attempt at multitasking than the conversation at hand.
Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty…. Wait, no. That's not right.
Straightening my back slightly, I could feel the stress tension pop in my spine. After a few blinks to focus my concentration, I recounted the fives. Nodding at something the boss said, even though he couldn't see it, I typed the number into the calculator. "I'll make sure to set up the stand tonight so you can fill it in the morning," I picked up the next stack of bills. "I'm sure it is a two person job. It'll get done tonight. Don't you worry."
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty.
"I know, I'm your best employee," I snorted at his comment. "I've also been here the longest. Well, George too. But that's why I'm your assistant. I'm also the only one who puts up with you, unlike George." I listened to him argue my comment. "Listen John, I need to get back up front. Unless you want me to leave Tatum up there by herself." He quickly let me go and I finished my counting before locking the safe.
Sighing briefly, I pushed back the chair and stood. The wheels on the old chair screeched like fairies screaming for help. I had to remember to convince Koenma to open his wallet for a new chair. This one had probably been here since the shop had opened almost ten years ago.
"You actually are here."
I blinked a few times at the male voice before I located where it came from. There stood the man from the day before. He was at the front counter with Juri who was attempting to ring up his drink. At this time of night there was never anyone here. It was probably easy to tell how surprised I was to see him again.
"Kurama, right?" He nodded and I walked up behind Juri. "I said that I'd be here. DId you not believe me?"
"Like I said, I hadn't seen you before." Kurama's green eyes had a sparkle to them as he spoke.
"Hey Botan?" Juri drew our attention toward her. "I accidently hit cash. What do I do?"
"Ok," I said looking at the screen over her shoulder. "Just print the receipt." Waiting for her to do so, I sent an appreciated smile to the customer. He gave the smallest nod without saying anything. Once the paper had been printed, I took it from her and set it next to her register. Attaching a small piece of tape, I made sure we wouldn't lose that transaction. "Now, you can ring him up again. Use the proper form of payment this time. I'll fix it later." My eyes traveled with her hand across the touch screen. "Yep, you got it. I'll make that for you real quick." I side stepped to the bar and started Kurama's drink.
"So, are you the official night manager then?" He followed me to the other end of the store. Standing at the serving counter, I knew he was watching me work. A lot baristas here get uncomfortable with guests watching so intently. I had a feeling that he wasn't really watching what was happening with his drink. At the very least, it wasn't a calculating stare down to make sure every drop of the drink was done to his specifications.
I shrugged one shoulder as the espresso started to drip into the tiny white ceramic cup. "I'm the assistant."
"The assistant?" he was reaching. I slightly felt bad that I wasn't as open with conversation as I used to be. "That's a fancy title."
I glanced at him and felt my eyes glue to his face. He had strong cheekbones and a sturdy jaw. This was the type of look I used to dream about in a man. Today he had his red hair pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. I used to love men with red hair. "I'm the assistant store manager. The store manager normally opens. I, in turn, close."
"Every day?"
I shook my head as I topped off his drink with whipped cream and crumbles. "No, I have Wednesdays and Sundays off."
"Well then, I know to expect to see you most days of the week," he chuckled slightly as I handed him his drink.
Nodding, I glanced back to see Juri stocking our snack section. Internally, I sighed. This stranger had been nothing but kind to both Juri and I. The least I should be able to do was pretend like I was a normal human and make conversation. "What do you do, Kurama?" My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my quarter length Grounds tee shirt. The beige stitching had started to unravel months ago, but I refused to ask anyone to help me sew it back up. Pride is tough to get over.
When I glanced back at him, he was swallowing a sip of his mocha. "I actually work overnights at the Target down the road. I stock produce all night. Take care of the load."
"So, no decaf for you ever." I smiled softly when he laughed. For some reason his laugh encouraged me to keep talking. "Over nights pay well, don't they?"
He thought about it for a second before his lips turned up into an open smile. A small shrug lifted his shoulders before he respond. "A few dollars more. But it's kind of nice to do my own thing while I work. Some people can't handle the lack of human interaction during the night shift. Others can't handle the hours. Whether it's because of the sun or personal influences, who knows. Works out for me just fine."
The bell over the door rang, catching both of our attention. A woman with shoulder length brown hair that was more the color of chocolate than honey walked through the door. Juri stopped stocking the chips to turn and greet the customer. "Welcome to Grounds for Divorce. How are you doing today?" The other woman smiled at Juri before responding. Turning back to Kurama, I gave him an awkward smile.
"Yeah, I should get going too." He raised his drink as a goodbye note and walked towards the door.
"Botan?" I glanced at the new woman after hearing my name said in such a positive tone. Her mouth was open slightly in what appeared to be an angry gasp, despite the tone. "You're home? And you didn't call me?"
I laughed at her comment and walked over to the register. Waving to the bright haired stranger, I watched him share a short smiled with the newcomer. The bell on the door sounded again as he exited. "Hey Keiko. I haven't been home long. Couple of weeks, maybe. Just had to get some things in order." Pausing, I gave her an awkward smile in hopes it would appease her. "Koenma gave me a promotion." If it was possible for your shoulders to slump and shrug at the same time, I made it happen. I was somehow feeling like I had deceived her.
"It's about time, really," she smiled and rolled her eyes at my comment. "Oh jeeze, we need to catch up. By the way, when did you get cozy with Kurama?" Her hands clapped together silently in front of her with excitement.
"Small town…" I mumbled to myself. "I just met him yesterday actually." I turned to my coworker and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I can take care of this if you wanna sweep and mop the backroom." She nodded and left me up front with my high school best friend. Her hair was much shorter than when I'd seen her last. She also was much more giggly than I remembered.
"What is going on?" Keiko lost her fake smile and over the top excitement. I should have known the overly optimistic side was a show. "Seriously man, you dropped off the edge of the world last year. We all miss you. What are you doing back home? Are you still with that guy….what's his face?" I tried to give her a little forced chuckle, but she saw right through it. I guess fifteen years of friendship means you can't lie to someone. "Don't play games with me. I got enough of that from Yusuke."
"Whoa Keiko," I held up my hands in defense. "I'm not with him anymore. It's officially over." There was no way I could've stopped the sigh from leaving my lips.
"It's for the best," Keiko nodded approvingly. "Honestly, I can still see the control he has on you. Do you still want to be with him?"
"No," my answer was very quick. Maybe too quick this time. I'm sure my eyes were wider than normal. Pupils more dilated than usual with escalated breathing. Nostrils flared slightly, like I was Judd Nelson in an angsty scene of the Breakfast Club.
She was silent for a moment, searching my face for clues or answers. "...What… Happened?" Looking down at my hands, I saw the tremors had started. They were small enough that most people wouldn't notice, but I didn't doubt for a moment that Keiko saw them. "Do you want to get together later or something?"
"I'd love to get together, but honestly," I told her before taking a deep breath and raising my eyes to the ceiling. "I can't talk about what happened yet. It's still too hard."
Nodding, Keiko remained silent. Her bright brown eyes heavy with emotions as she watched me intently. I was starting to feel self-conscious, but I knew at this point there was nothing I could do besides breath. There was no way I was going to start crying at work. Especially, not with the new hire so close. Dad always said to never show weakness in front of others and crying… that was a huge sign of weakness.
After a few moments, she whispered, "Whenever you wanna talk, I will be here for you. Just pick up the phone. Gilmore Girls style. I work from home, remember?" That caused me to smile a little.
"I'm off on Sunday." I told her. "Wanna grab some lunch?"
"Maybe a chick flick too?" Keiko gave me a reassuring smile and I nodded. "It's a date then!"
We shared a short laugh and I could feel myself slip into the comfort of my old friendship. It was safe and had welcoming arms. There something about the way that Keiko would smile that I knew we shared a bond. Almost like she was my real sister and we shared too many secrets to judge the other.
In the back, I could hear Juri dump the mop bucket and I knew the job I'd tasked her with was done. Coughing lighty, I asked, "Did you want some coffee?" Keiko blinked a few times like she'd been in a dark room for several hours and now was emerging into the real world.
"Yes, yes, yes. Please," Keiko chuckled again. This time more to herself. "A large dark roast would be fantastic."
"Coming right up." Smiling at her for a moment, a real smile even, I turned and filled up a brown paper cup with our French Roast. This was our second darkest coffee that we regularly kept on hand. "Room for cream?"
"You know it." She said as I brought the cup back towards her. My hands easily attaching the plastic lid to the top of the cup. "I'm glad you're back Botan."
My words floated out on my exhale. "Me too."
