Disclaimers: CSI belongs to their CBS & whoever else that owns them. My OCs belongs to me. Their names belongs to their respective first-name possessors. :P
His name is Bobby Dawson & he isn't here today. 3.45pm exactly but Mr. Punctuality was not here yet. Even though we'd only knew each other for a couple of weeks but I'd always looked forward to meeting up with him. I took a sip of my coffee, the smell triggered the replay of the day when we forged our friendship over a cup of brown, aromatic liquid.
~~~
"Good afternoon, may I take your order please?" the new crew greeted a little too brightly. Deciding to see if there is anything inside that pretty head of hers, I asked the 'ritual' question.
"I'll like some coffee…and breakfast," I grinned. Lil Miss Newbie frowned in confusion.
"Miss, it's way past 11. We stopped making those 4 hours ago," Oh, she can count! Behind her, I saw the shift manager chuckle.
"Relax, Grace. She comes here everyday & she would always tease the new crews with that question,"
At that, Grace grinned sheepishly. "Anything else I do get for you other than getting you your coffee & being the butt of your jokes?"
"Gimme a cheese burger with that. Thanks," Heehee…another one bites the dust. I took my tray & retreated to my usual corner, the corner that has the whole view of the street. Halfway through my burger, another person entered. Bite me coz I eat slow…but there shouldn't be anyone around here at this time. It's usually just me & my coffee.
The stranger, decked in a pair of Adidas track pants & a slightly crumpled T-shirt, flashed me a small smile before making his way to the counter.
"Good afternoon sir, how may I help you?" Grace greeted again.
"Hi, I'll like some coffee & uh…say, do you guys still have breakfast?" The guy asked in an accent that I figured is Texan, his tone playful. Grace shot me a look but I shrugged innocently. I'm as puzzle as you are, Grace! Cowboy followed Grace's line of view, cocking an eyebrow. "Is somethin' wrong?"
"No, no! Breakfast closed at 11. Would you like anything else instead?"
"A double cheese please,"
"Okay," Grace proceeded rather efficiently with his orders.
"Thanks," Concluding that it's none of my business anymore, I turned my attention back to my half-eaten burger.
"Hi…" I had just stuffed the last bit of my burger, which also happened to be a fairly large piece, into my mouth before looking up puffy-cheeked at the polite, accented gentleman that had "played" our beloved newbie with the same trick as mine. Swallowing hard, I just had to choke at that precise moment. I coughed on reflex, watching the guy with curly dirty blond hair set his tray down hurriedly. He handed me his coffee, which I accepted very gratefully, and patted me hard on my back. "Are you okay?" his soft gentle voice laced with concern.
"I will be… *cough*" I managed to say rather huskily. Finishing the remaining of the coffee, I gestured for him to take the empty seat at my booth.
"Thank you," he beamed happily & slid in, facing me. "I'm sorry about startlin' you just now,"
"Nah, it's ok. I should be sorry for finishing your coffee," I pointed to the empty Styrofoam cup that used to hold his coffee.
"Haha…no problem. You might wanna treat me to another cup though," At that comment, I was suddenly aware of his eye bags.
"Jeez, what did you do last night??" I joked.
"I moved into town—among other things," was his reply. No wonder…it's not everyday you find a Texan in the middle of Las Vegas. "I'll be startin' work only tomorrow,"
"I see… Wait here. I'll get you some more caffeine-filled beverage pronto,"
"Twin of yours?" Grace asked sarcastically.
"Only if my twin is a Texan cowboy but what are the chances of that?" I grinned my infamous Cheshire cat grin. "My, you are the first crew I'd seen that adapted so quickly! 2 more cups of coffee,"
"It's one of my many talents," she answered simply, handing me my coffees before ringing up the money.
"Right…"
"Back, here's your coffee…" I felt my voice trailed off. Within the time span of about two minutes, cowboy had finished his burger!
"Thank you,"
"Are you really that hungry?" He nodded, blushing cutely. Aww…I wanna reach over & just pinch him!
"Say, aren't you supposed to be working?"
"I work nights,"
"Really?! I work nights too! I mean, after I start work, that is," he gulped his coffee down thirstily. "What do you work as?"
"I bartend at this casino uptown,"
"Wow!! I'd never met a female bartender before. And casino! Do you gamble?"
"I indulge occasionally. But yes, there aren't many barmaids around. My trade is more male-dominated," I sighed. It's true! Deep down, I wish more females would take the initiative to break into these male-dominated worlds. But that's not the point. The point is, we chatted for close to an hour when I ended our talk reluctantly coz if we don't stop then, I would be very late for work.
~~~
And that was how we met. Every afternoon, we would order our brunch & possibly dinner & of course, coffee, sat at my usual booth & talked until either one of us needed to leave.
4.03pm. He still isn't here yet. I sighed. Maybe he wouldn't be coming today… the opening of the door jolted me out of my depressing reverie.
"I'm so sorry! I overslept… rough night yesterday,"
"Tell me about it," I smiled at the panting male, a year my senior (I found that out recently), offering him the other cup of coffee I bought.
END!!!
This is shorter than I thought! Whew… Hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
Just in case someone don't know: brunch=breakfast-cum-lunch
Read and review!!!
^_~
