It is a poor corporate leader that can't evaluate the facts and produce a logical, relevant, honest conclusion – even if that honest conclusion happens to fly in the face of everything said corporate leader has ever believed in his entire life. The facts were that I treated Coffee girl to a great meal that Sunday afternoon, one that lasted nearly two hours thanks to conversation and dessert. And that I didn't take her home promptly afterwards, but went for a drive through town and then – what the heck – all the way to the water's edge. And that once there I let the Lexus idle with the radio on while Coffee girl and I did all the work.
And the conclusion?
Was that I really liked kissing Coffee girl. And she seemed to enjoy the activity just as much, judging by such clues as hot skin and ragged breathing and the way she almost threw herself into my arms as soon as I let go of the steering wheel. She was, understandably, not anxious to return to her home and I would have been happy to oblige her if I hadn't known my own family was waiting for me at mine. I could have called and fed him a lie, but given the context of her amazing triumph that day it felt wrong. Apologetically, I rekindled the engine once the sun had touched the water.
It's okay, she'd sighed. Have to go home sometime.
You'll make it. I know you will.
Another moment by the curb to square her shoulders, and she grasped the paper shopping bag overflowing with flowers and a teddy bear that had been gifts from her family. I didn't envy her at all.
See you next week?
Of course. They could never keep me from that.
'acceleration'
Once again she was already there when I arrived, poring over something was definitely not a fantasy novel. In fact, it curiously resembled a newspaper.
"Who are you?" I asked lightly, dropping into my usual chair, "and what do you think you're doing at my table?"
She directed a rather despairing glance at me and then sighed, dropping her chin in one hand.
"This is so much less fun than reading. I don't enjoy it at all, but you know the rules have changed up a bit."
"Such as your arrival time."
"Oh yeah." She grimaced slightly and shrugged. "Since I didn't visit my brother this weekend it didn't really matter what time I left; Mom was in the middle of another sulk and locked up in her bedroom anyway. I've been here for a couple of hours already."
"Family's not taking it well, I gather."
"Family is not taking it well. After I got home last week…" She shuddered. "Kaa-san was furious that I'd just walked out on her at my graduation ceremony, on top of everything else, and returned home so late."
"Tell her why?"
"Are you kidding? I told her I just wanted to get away from her and Nii-chan, which is true, because their shouting made me feel so awful. Then she said that I should feel awful, and started on a lecture that I'm sure she practiced all afternoon. Moving out is a silly decision, bound to fail, and… a lot more."
"I'm not surprised. What did you say?"
"Not much at all, actually. She never really paused for breath. But I didn't let myself forget your story about the other men in your company, and held onto what I knew was right for me. So when she'd finished, finally, I just told her that I hadn't changed my mind and goodnight."
Another, smaller, sigh escaped her lips. "That's how it went every day this week, with a few tantrums and crying at the dinner table mixed in. And when I tried calling my brother, he never picked up. So I took the hint and didn't come to meet him. And now here I am."
"Here you are."
"You don't think he'll refuse to speak to me forever, do you? I really don't want that at all."
"You know him better than I do."
"That's true." The doubt clouding her eyes cleared away, and she smiled a little. "Nii-chan is a very kind-hearted person. He's probably sulking a bit right now, but I'm sure he'll come around eventually. His friends will tell him to, if nothing else. They're a good group."
"Mm. Meanwhile…" I tapped the paper with an inquisitive look, and she groaned.
"Well, I think it was around Wednesday that she claimed I didn't know how to live alone, or have the means to support myself if I did. And she's completely right. It's true I don't know anything about paying bills or stuff like that, but I should take it one step at a time. I have to find a job!"
She thumped her fist against the Classifieds in a weak water imitation of some assertive executive.
"You've never had a job, have you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yeah," I answered in almost the same moment. "It is." Her face crumpled and I was quick to reassure her. "But that's okay. Summer's a good time to get your first job, go entry-level and stress your personal qualities, promise that you're reliable and willing to work long hours. You'd probably be good for customer service."
"Really?"
"Sure. You're…" My voice dropped a few notches. "…um, attractive. And amiable. Easy to get along with. You'll get hired somewhere."
"That's so nice of you to say so!" She beamed. "I've circled a few jobs here, but I'm a little nervous about calling."
"Don't. Go in person to pick up an application, and take it elsewhere to fill out. Use a typewriter, don't write longhand. And when you take it back, be sure and ask for the hiring manager so you can give it directly to him."
"Oh. Okay."
She looked a little overwhelmed, but nodded. At least I was trying to help, not like the rest of her family. Coffee girl looked a little stressed – a side effect of independence. Enough was enough.
"I can't read my papers with your job search spread everywhere." Not giving her any time to protest, I folded up the papers and shoved them to her side of the table. "Go get your book. Time to relax."
She waffled, but nodded. "You're right."
The papers were stuffed messily into her bag, and she stood up.
"You should get a job at a bookstore," I commented, offhandedly. "You'd fit in."
"Hey, good idea."
She collected her fantasy novel, and we read.
At 5:30, she closed it, but when she moved in her chair she hesitated.
"What is it?"
"Er- I just realized there's no reason that I have to go. Mom isn't at home thinking that I'm coming from Nii-chan's, she doesn't have any idea where I am. She doesn't know when I'm coming back. She's angry at me no matter what time I return."
"So what will you do?"
"Oh, I'll go home. I mean, I know you have to get home too and it's not really fair to make her worry."
I observed her shoulders slump, and eyes fall to the floor.
"Time to get out."
"Job first," she reminded me. "I have to get the money for it."
She didn't ask me for a loan, of course, and I didn't offer one. Hey, she needed the incentive to get her into a job. We left the bookshop.
Sometimes I wondered if Coffee girl knew. That that was why I'd allowed her to become such a big part of my life, why I ever spoke to her at all. Was that why she never asked me for a thing? And was it only me? Maybe, and maybe she realized that keeping it that way was the best and fastest path to independence. If only with me, she'd find it.
Still, that didn't mean I couldn't give her something if I wanted.
"I've got something for you," I blurted without prelude, upon pulling up to her curb. Coffee girl blinked and looked my way with round innocent eyes.
"What?"
"I've got something for you," I repeated, and plucked the square velvet box from my coat pocket. "Uh, a graduation present."
I almost shoved it into her hand and she had to fumble for it, still staring at me. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to. Everybody else did." Like I'd let her brother show me up with a stupid little teddy bear? Please. "Besides, you got me a gift for Christmas and I never got you anything… calculate value with market-rate interest and I owe you at least this much."
Coffee girl stifled a giggle. "I don't think it works quite like that."
"Well, still." I shifted in my seat and glared at the steering wheel, feeling very out of my element. "I wanted to. Just open it."
"Yes sir," she replied sweetly, and pried open the little box. "Oh… it's beautiful."
A random jewelry store across the plaza from the office, a glimpse at the window display and an impulsive purchase, the result of which she picked up between finger and thumb to admire.
"I thought it would match your brother's locket," I couldn't help but point out, when the light of the sunset gleamed off the antique silver ring.
"Oh…" Her other hand closed over the necklace in question and her eyes glistened. "That's so wonderful of you. I love it."
"Hn," I muttered. Coffee girl slipped the gift onto her finger and she held out her hand for inspection.
"Arigatou gozaimas. I'll wear it always."
Something in my chest warmed at the words. I was just leaning in for another kiss when she giggled again.
"You know, this could be an anniversary gift too."
"Huh?"
"It's the first Sunday of June, we've been sharing a table at the bookshop for exactly one year. I only remember because it was the first Sunday after school let out."
"Oh." One whole year. Huh.
"What a strange year it's been," she mused, a little more softly, almost to herself. "Well, anyway, I should go. Thanks again." She closed the distance between us and dropped a quick kiss on my lips. "Bye! See you next week!"
She slipped out of the car and shut the door behind her, sparing me another cheerful wave before skipping to the house. I'd lifted her mood, clearly, in spite of what she was about to face inside that house.
What a strange year indeed.
- - - - - - - - - -
Next Sunday Coffee girl threw herself into my arms the second I stepped into the café, and so I was hit by not only a girl but a wave of déjà vu. She couldn't have graduated again, could she?
"What is it this time?"
She turned her face up, eyes sparkling.
"You're never gonna believe it! I got a job!"
"Wha… already?"
"Yes!"
She squeezed me extra hard around the ribs in her joy, and I had to stifle a grunt of pain.
"Congratulations," I wheezed.
"Oh! Sorry, I was just so excited. And you know what? Today I'm going to buy your coffee for you."
"Huh?"
She closed a surprisingly strong grip around my wrist and towed me to the café counter.
"Yes! You took me out to that wonderful restaurant and you gave me a present – I'm wearing it, see? – and so I want to do something for you. And I'm employed! I can afford to buy you a cup of coffee."
She looked so proud of herself, I couldn't even demur. "The usual," I muttered to the usual employee, who was staring at Coffee girl with raised eyebrows. "And thank you very much."
"You're welcome!" She looked ready to leap onto a cloud at any moment, positively shining as she handed over her precious cash. I hid a smile behind my cup.
"So, what's the job? I'm surprised that you found one so fast."
"Oh, me too."
We walked back to our table – or rather, I walked and she danced. "And it's all thanks to you! You had that great idea that I should work in a bookshop, and I thought 'He's right. I should.' In fact, I even thought about asking for an application here, since I know the store so well, but then I thought it might be weird for you if I was working here."
More to the point, would be working and wearing a name tag. Yes, that would be weird.
"It's rather out of the way, anyway. And then I realized I shouldn't be looking at stores near my home, I should look for a place near the college campus. I remembered what you said and took the train up, so I could approach people in person."
She waved her hand in a distracted manner. "Oh, and all this happened on Tuesday. I was trying to take the initiative, like you said I should."
"I did?"
"Yes, you know… make your own decisions, don't wait to be told what to do. That sort of thing. Anyway, I'd hardly taken ten steps from the train station when I saw the campus bookstore, where they sell the students' textbooks. And I thought, why not? I just walked in and asked if they were taking applications, and it turned out they were! Because all the senior students on staff just quit, and they didn't have enough people to cover shifts over the summer! The manager gave me an application but I remembered what you said, so I went to the library to use their typewriter. He was so surprised that I brought it back so quickly! We talked a little bit and I tried to be friendly and smile a lot, and then I went home. He called the very next day, though, and asked when I could come in for an interview!"
Coffee girl paused for breath, finally, still glowing. My papers were forgotten under my elbows; entertained, I took a sip of my drink.
"I was so nervous. I really wished he'd waited until the next week so I could ask you for advice, but I didn't dare put him off. So I said that would be fine, and I dressed up in my black skirt and white blouse (the most professional outfit I have) and took the train up again. I had to sneak out, though, so Mom wouldn't see. And the interview wasn't scary at all, he was very nice and we spent most of the time talking about what I would study when I started school. Then he asked me about my schedule, because so many employees were taking off for vacation and he really needed someone that could work a lot of hours. Of course I'm so anxious to get out of the house that I told him I could work any day he needed, any hours."
That caught my attention, and I frowned. "What about Sunday afternoon?"
"Oh, except that." She grinned reassuringly. "I told him I must have Sunday afternoon. Anyway, he seemed really pleased, and on Friday he called and told me the job was mine! I'll do training tomorrow and then I can start. Imagine, my very own paycheck. It's so exciting!"
"It is," I agreed, wholeheartedly. I was so impressed, not to mention distracted by her dazzling smile, that I completely forgot to tell her my own good news. But a phone call from Hong Kong could wait, nothing can compete with a first paycheck. "I'm very happy for you."
She dimpled.
"Have you told your mother yet?"
"No, not yet. I wanted you to be the first to know."
"Oh," was all I could say to that. Involuntarily I glanced at the silver ring on her finger, and struggled not to smile.
"I'll have to tell her tomorrow, of course, and she won't like it. It'll just show her that I'm serious about moving out, and it will be another big argument. But she can't stop me, right?"
"Right. And how about your brother?"
This time Coffee girl's smile faded. "I haven't spoken with him yet, actually. I've left a bunch of messages on his machine, but he still hasn't called back. One of his friends told me he's still in a sulk. I wish he'd at least talk to me, so he could see how happy I am."
"Maybe he doesn't want to see how happy you are."
"Don't say that," she pleaded. "No more talking about my family, I want to be in a good mood today. I feel very productive. I've got a job to start this week, now I need to find a place to live."
"And where will you look for that?"
"The school has a paper with advertisements, I picked up a copy after the interview."
"Well, look at you. Being all assertive. You almost make me want to hire you." I tapped her on the nose and she crinkled it.
"Stop. You know that would be really weird, don't even suggest it. Suppose you had to downsize me?"
"I don't downsize, I… redistribute work."
"Of course you do." She winked and pushed her chair back from the table. "I'm calmer now, I'm going to go get my book. Thanks for putting up with my hyper cheer."
"Hey, free coffee."
She giggled and left.
Read.
Drive.
Kiss.
Goodnight.
When I got home my brother remarked that I had a weird glow about me. Don't know what he's talking about.
- - - - - - - -
June melted away under the hot summer sun, every day with the same bright blue sky and carefree breeze. Coffee girl was wearing impossibly short shorts and little sleeveless tops in response to the weather, her long hair pulled up into a ponytail to keep it off her neck. I generally pulled it free so I could run my fingers through her hair, though. Summer is good.
For her the month brought mixed emotions: the joy of independent work and her very own paycheck, balanced by a mother that detested her newfound pride and a brother that still declined to meet her on weekends. Her work continued regardless, and she confided in me that she loved every minute of it.
Not just for the paycheck, she insisted. For the first time in my life people take me seriously, don't try to protect me or coddle me or make the decisions for me. Well, first after you, that is.
Mm. Lean back against the wheel a little more, you're on the parking brake.
So yes, summer was good for the both of us. Whatever she was going through with her family, it didn't prevent her from going to work and searching for an apartment every day. And it didn't prevent her from our Sunday afternoon.
- - - - - - -
"I want to give up," she sighed in despair one week, the first Sunday of July. "There just isn't anything! The only empty apartments are so expensive, and all the ones that I can afford have waiting lists that go on forever. I can't believe I actually have to furnish a letter of recommendation just to meet with a landlord; getting a job was easier than this."
"Rent control," I supplied, unfolding my papers and scanning the headlines.
"Eh? What's that?"
"Those cheap but unavailable buildings you're looking at are subject to the city's older ordinances. By law the landlord can't go over a certain amount, and since it's so much cheaper the demand overwhelms supply. The landlords can afford to get picky – and, incidentally, they don't have to worry about keeping their buildings very clean. You probably don't want to live there."
"You know so much."
"Just what's relevant to my business." I'd had to dodge all sorts of draconian ordinances to get the real estate for my park, and to this day couldn't recall the experience without a shudder.
I shuddered.
"Well, I wish you knew where I could find a place to live. This is impossible!"
"Nothing's impossible in the world of business. If one deal doesn't work, go around it."
"Oh, do hush," she ordered, looking irritable. "No more wisdom today, I'm not in the mood."
I glanced up just briefly from the Journal. Coffee girl looked stressed, and I decided to stay out of the line of fire. "Sorry. Just trying to help."
She melted instantly. "I know. I'm sorry too, it's just been hard. Looking, and Mom, and stuff. I just want to relax and read now, just peace and quiet, only quiet. Okay?"
"Okay."
Something buzzed loudly and she almost jumped out of her chair, diving for her purse. Again the phone vibrated angrily and she fumbled to unfold it.
"You left your phone on? What happened to quiet?"
"Shh!" Stunned, she looked from the screen to me and then the screen again. "It's my brother! He actually called me!"
"But it's our reading time -"
"Shh!" She'd clicked the receive button. "Onii-chan?"
Once again that loud and obnoxious voice blared forth from the earpiece, so loud I could almost make out words. Sounded kind of familiar, actually…
I didn't have more than a few seconds to think about it before she was scurrying out of the café, phone glued to her ear. I knew she hadn't spoken directly to him for a month now and how important it was to her that he'd finally called, but I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed he'd chosen Sunday afternoon to call. And that she hadn't even looked at me when she got up.
Jealous? Me? Never. I just got up and followed because I was curious. Coffee girl must have been moving the whole time because I had to wander the store before I finally found her, pacing underneath the staircase.
"…no. No, I don't mind at all. I can. Okay. I'll see you there. Bye!"
She hung up and jumped on me before I thought she knew I was there.
"You'll never guess!"
"He's agreed to meet you."
"You guessed! She told me she'd talk to him and she must have finally gotten through to him… anyway, there's this outdoor free concert starting in a little while and he just called to ask if I could make it! I'm sure this means he's over it and ready to talk like a normal human being. I knew he'd come around, I just knew it."
"Good for you. What do you mean by 'a little while'?"
"Oh, well he asked if I could meet him by the entrance at 4:00."
She cringed when she saw the look on my face.
"But you're here until six, this is our reading time. You can't leave early."
"I know, I'm sorry. But I just couldn't say no, not when he's trying to wave the white flag. I just hate it that he's been keeping his distance and I really really want to make things right between us. You know how important that is to me. Wouldn't you do the same for your brother?"
Damn it, why did she have to go there? I crossed my arms and sulked.
"I don't see why I have to be dropped, I'm not the one that's been giving you the silent treatment for a month."
"It's a special one-time thing," she pressed. "I'm only doing it so I can make up with my brother, if he's ready to talk now I have to go. It won't happen again, I swear."
"It better not."
"So you're okay with it?"
I shrugged and muttered something under my breath. She, correctly, took this to indicate acceptance and kissed me appreciatively on one cheek.
"Thank you."
"Hn."
"I have to go now if I'm going to catch a bus."
"Wait." What the hell am I doing? "I'll give you a ride."
- - - - - - - -
Scowling, I pulled up to the curb by the city park amidst a throng of dippy concert-goers. If one of those tin tanks even put a scratch on my Lexus…
"You're really wonderful for doing this," Coffee girl complimented me. "And for being so nice about it."
I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and fantasized that the boy in front of me was her brother, and how easy it would be to run him over.
"I've put you out of your way and I feel just terrible about it. I promise to make it up to you somehow, soon."
That intrigued me enough to lift a little of my irritation, and my grip on the wheel relaxed. Coffee girl unlatched her door, trying to peer through my windshield. "Oh- I think I saw him just now in that crowd. Gotta go. Wish me luck!"
"You know I don't believe in that."
"I know, but this time I don't think hard work is going to save me."
"Good luck then, I guess."
"Arigatou!" She pushed herself back to my side of the car and dropped a quick but enthusiastic kiss on my lips. "I'll see you next week."
"Mm."
She was gone and away from the car in the next minute, wending her way through the crowd. I lost sight of her before I could even see her reunite with this so-very-special brother of hers.
Briefly I contemplated following, but abandoned the idea. Once I'd parked and returned I'd never find her, and even if I did what would I do then? Watch her from afar while she talked to her brother? She had enough to think about tonight as it was. And even though I was still very, very annoyed that my precious Sunday afternoon had been crippled, I felt strangely good.
Because she was happy.
Strange.
- - - - - - - -
This time our table was empty, there was no Coffee girl waiting to greet me. As I always had before I bought my drink and opened my papers, this time paying particular interest to an article in the Economist on multinational management. In fact, I would probably clip and copy it for my top executive staff.
She arrived at her usual time, just past 3:30, looking thoughtful.
"The meeting went well, I take it."
"With my brother? Yeah… it did. Pretty well, anyway. A lot of our friends were there and at first we just watched the concert, then after a while he asked me if I wanted to get a drink with him."
"Ah, separation and intimidation."
"No, silly, all he did was talk. He told me how hurt he was that I'd decided to live alone after he went to so much trouble to get that 2-bedroom apartment for us, and then doubly hurt when I walked out on my own graduation ceremony without even saying goodbye. But he'd been talking with- well, his non-girlfriend and I think she made him see that he got that apartment without bothering to ask me how I felt about it. And how I must have felt that Sunday when he and my mother fought so bitterly."
A shadow crossed her face and she covered it by taking a sip of her drink.
"In the end, he admitted he had no right to be angry at all, and that I could just go on home if I wanted to. And that's when I realized he'd spent this whole month thinking that I didn't like being with him, and didn't want to see him anymore. I had to tell him that I did like spending time with him, that I loved him, but that living alone was just something I had to. I don't think he really understood though – or believed me. When he asked about this weekend I had to tell him I was working on Saturday, and he didn't even know I'd gotten a job. So then we had to have a big long talk about that, and in the end I told him I'd take the train up for Sunday lunch, which is where I've just been."
She collapsed against the back of her chair with a sigh. "Things are different now. It was so stiff and formal, not at all like our usual outings – thank goodness his non-girlfriend was there too. I wish things could be just like how they were."
"And undo all that you've done this past month?"
"No. Just… with him. I wish it could be the same with him."
I thought about all those complaints that he babied her and didn't take her seriously, and wondered if she really meant that. Still, she seemed so wistful that I couldn't bring myself to point it out.
"At least he's talking to you. That's progress."
"You're right. And oh! I almost forgot." From within her oversized purse she produced a small brown paper bag, and unfolded the opening. "For last week, leaving the shop to give me a ride there. It was the sweetest thing, so I baked you cookies for a thank you."
Cookies? It took every scrap of my training, but I concealed all disappointment behind an expressionless mask. When she said 'make it up to you', I'd had something else in mind entirely.
"I wasn't sure what kind you would like," she was saying, "so I baked two. Chocolate chip and peanut butter."
I tried to remember what either tasted like and could not; aside from her Christmas gift it had been many years since my last cookie. But she was smiling so gratefully, her eyes hopeful, that I didn't tell her any of that. I simply selected a cookie and bit into it.
"Delicious. Thank you."
"It's the least I could do! I know what happened last week was very annoying to you, and I promise it will never happen again."
She did look properly contrite, and I swallowed the disappointment along with a mouthful of chocolate.
"It's fine. I'm just glad he's talking to you again."
And I was speaking truthfully. I took another cookie.
- - - - - - - -
The hot and sticky July oozed on, bringing flocks of downtown dwellers into the café for iced teas and frappucinos. Coffee girl had begun to see her brother again on a weekly basis, squeezing him in between the work schedule and me with a weekend that left her rather breathless. She confided that he'd begun to loosen up some, relaxing and joking more, but it still felt as though there was a barrier between them. It made her sad.
She didn't seem sad today, though. In fact, she seemed to be in a remarkably good mood, skipping into the café with a little hum under her breath and reading her book with a bigger-than-average smile on her face. I noticed but said nothing, not curious enough to interrupt her reading or mine. When six o'clock came she almost ran to my car, settling in the front seat with a delighted and mysterious grin.
"Don't get on the highway," she instructed, once I'd reached the parking garage exit.
"Excuse me?"
"I want to show you something."
She would answer no questions, but directed me to turn right and then right again, moving away from the highway to suburbia and into parts of downtown with older and sometimes crumbling buildings.
"And… stop!"
The Lexus paused by the curb of a faded looking house, its pocket handkerchief of a front garden tangled with weeds and paint peeling from the walls. Coffee girl beamed at it and unlatched her door. "Come on!"
"Where are we?"
"It's a surprise, quick!"
She was already out of the car, waving impatiently for me to follow, and I could see no alternative but to shrug and obey. By the lights in the window and motion within I guessed that people were home, but she didn't move toward the front door. Instead she snatched my wrist and dragged me around to the side, past a tiny garage and around its corner. Hanging precariously to the wall via some rusty screws was an old spiral staircase, and this she scrambled up without even appearing to notice the dangerous creaks. I followed more slowly, trying to avoid hitting my head on the higher stairs, and caught up with her outside a cracked and rather incongruously placed door. She slid a key into the knob.
"What the -"
"Shh!" Grinning madly, she opened the door and flipped a switch. And a single lightbulb dangling from the ceiling scattered light over one of the ugliest rooms I've ever seen.
The thin brown carpet wore multiple stains, and looked a bit frayed around the edges. The walls had perhaps once been white, in distant years before. Along the edge of the far wall, which wasn't very far at all given its size, were a few ugly cabinets and a sink, a stove but no oven, and a relatively new-looking miniature fridge.
"Ta-da!" shouted Coffee girl, throwing her arm out in a gesture of proud satisfaction.
I stared. "What is this?"
"My new home! You were right, you were totally right about looking for an alternative when something looks impossible. So I stopped looking at corporate apartment ads and instead started scanning the Classifieds for rentals by owner. And I met this lady! She's the one living in that house, with her two little children, and she just finished a divorce. And that's just too bad because she seems so nice and anyway, she decided she needed a little more money and so she'd rent out this little flat above the garage. And then I called! She said she liked me right away because I'm a girl and look very clean-cut, and that maybe I can even baby-sit her children for extra money while I'm living here. And if I paint and fix up the flat, and take care of her garden, she'll reduce the rent! Isn't it perfect?"
She danced along the 'kitchen', showing me all the cabinet space and the fridge her landlady had just purchased, then proceeded to show off the closet and bathroom.
"And it's small, sure, but that's okay because so am I. I'm just a block away from a bus stop to get to work and college, rent is only a third of what I'm making at the store, and I won't have noisy neighbors to worry about."
I eyed the ceiling, showing signs of water damage. "But wherever will you hang the chandelier?"
She giggled and poked me in the ribs. "Stop. I know this is probably smaller than your bathroom, but it's a lot for me. You know why?"
"I can guess."
"Because it's mine. I found it, I signed the lease, I have the key, and it's mine, mine, mine. This…" She swept an enraptured gaze around her new home. "- is what independence looks like."
Her sparkling eyes met mine again. "I signed on Thursday and I haven't told anyone else yet. I wanted you to be the first to know."
"I love you."
Coffee girl froze.
I froze.
Years passed and still I didn't move, shocked and astonished as she was at those words. I hadn't even planned to say them, they had taken on a will of their own.
"Wow," breathed Coffee girl. "I didn't expect that."
You and me both, I would have said if I was capable of speech.
"But I love you too."
Small apartments have their advantage after all. It didn't take her any time to close the distance between us and embrace me tightly, her heart beating fast against mine. I lowered my head, tipped her chin up, and kissed her.
This place is gorgeous.
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Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
Kaiba: Help! I'm suffocated by the fluff! Can't… breathe…
Peacewish: It's all part of the plan, blue eyes. But don't die before I finish the story, just a couple of chapters to go.
Kaiba: Must – have – air.
Peacewish: Isn't this fun?