Chapter 187: Coffee Shop
Monday, January 16th, Evening
(Song lyrics in italics)
Pulling her coat closer to her body, she looked over the coffee shop. She pulled down the purple watch cap she wore. Shaking her head, she finally stepped forward and opened the door. Once inside, she let the warmth of the building wash over her.
Walking over to the counter, she ordered her simple black coffee and took a look around the small coffee shop. The place they were meeting was not her choice, but she reflected it was a good choice. The coffee would be the make or break of this place. She found who she was looking for; after she got her coffee, Ellie walked over to him and sat down.
Bietio Hawk looked across the table and smiled at her. Ellie smiled back at him. She slowly took off her watch cap and removed her air buds from her ears. Ellie ran a hand over her hair to try and keep it neat. She removed the ponytail in her hair and redid it.
"How are you doing?" Bietio asked, cutting to the chase.
Ellie smiled and warmed her hands on her cup of coffee. "Cold," she said.
"Yeah, it's a bit brisk out," Bietio said.
Ellie canted her head, "What's behind those eyes?" she asked.
Bietio looked at her, confused, "What do you mean?" he asked.
"There's something there, behind those eyes, a wondering or questioning," Ellie said, "Why don't you let it out?"
Bietio shook his head, "I don't know what you mean?" he asked.
Ellie leaned forward, "You're still curious about me," she said.
Bietio leaned forward to match her, "I'm always curious," he said.
"Well, we've never had the time to get to know each other," Ellie said, "So, why don't you ask me?"
Bietio shook his head, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to ask," he said.
"Whatever you want to ask," Ellie said.
The music changed on the coffee shop's speakers. There was a distinct guitar riff that filled Ellie's ears. She perked up with familiarity; she knew the song. Trin had played her the song once or twice. This notion was confirmed when she heard the whispered opening lyrics.
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
That's when the sound became hard and driving for a few meters. Ellie must have physically changed her expression once she knew the song. She saw Bietio's expression change. The heaviness of the song dropped out.
You are beautiful on the inside
You are innocence personified
And I will drag you down and sell you out
Run away
"What's wrong?" Bietio asked.
The music got heavier again.
I am cold like December snow
I have carved out this soul made of stone
And I will drag you down and sell you out
"It's this song," Ellie said.
Bietio did that contemplative head bounce guys tend to do. "Yeah, it songs pretty good," he said.
"It's okay," Ellie said.
"You don't like Mental Lapse?" Bietio asked.
Ellie shook her head, "I can take or leave them," she said.
Embraced by the darkness, I'm losing the light
Encircled by demons, I fight
"Really? Don't you have any taste in music?" Bietio asked.
Ellie shrugged, "I'm just not a big Mental Lapse fan, especially Judas of all songs," she said.
"So, you don't like Mental Lapse," Bietio said.
What have I become? Now that I've betrayed
Everyone I've ever loved, I pushed them all away
And I have been a slave to the Judas in my mind
Is there something left of me to save
In the wreckage of my life? My life
"They have good songs; this one is not one of my favorites," Ellie said.
"What's your favorite Mental Lapse song?" Bietio asked.
"I don't have one, but their first album was great," Ellie said, "If you put a gun to my head, I would say my favorite was Further on Up the Road, off the Live at TRIC sessions."
"Everyone says that their first album was great, but Mental Lapse had several good albums after that. Live Sessions at TRIC is a favorite of mine," Bietio said.
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
Judas in my mind
Ellie shrugged, "Maybe, their last one before Brian tried that career rehab," she said.
"So, you're saying its Brian Scott's fault?" Bietio asked.
Ellie shrugged, that's a loaded question. She's very bias on the subject of Brian Scott. Also, how much does she want to give away about herself at this time? "Well, his most successful times were when he worked with his mom or Kat Hartmann," she said.
Oh, this guilt is a heavy cross
There is blood on the path I walk
And each step I take is haunting me
"Well, not the last time," Bietio said.
"Ah, yeah, that bit of charity, which he pissed away being a diva," Ellie said.
"Some people seem to think it was Kat Hartmann who's difficult to work with," Bietio said.
"Really? Blame the woman? Kat has had an eleven-year successful career with Nordwind, where Brian, the Jim Morrison, want to be, just floundered," Ellie said.
"You seem to have a lot of anger when it comes to Brian Scott," Bietio said.
Damnit! Ellie let too much of her past out. "I have my reasons," Ellie said.
Embraced by the darkness, I'm losing the light
Encircled by demons, I fight
"I don't want to argue," Bietio said.
"Well, we're not," Ellie said, "So, you want to change the subject?"
"So, umm, yes," Bietio said, "Then what were we doing?"
"Exchanging ideas, adults can have differences of beliefs, or opinions, and have a debate or free exchange of ideas without losing ground on friendship," Ellie said.
What have I become? Now that I've betrayed
Everyone I've ever loved, I pushed them all away
And I have been a slave to the Judas in my mind
Is there something left of me to save
In the wreckage of my life? My life
"Still, I'm going to change the subject," Bietio said.
"I'm fine with that," Ellie said, sipped her coffee, and glad she didn't have to discuss Brian anymore.
"Are you excited to see your family again?" Bietio asked.
"Some ways, yes, I get to see my sisters," Ellie said.
"I thought you have a brother too?" Bietio asked.
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
"I do, but he won't be able to make it," Ellie said, "And it may not be all of my sisters."
"That sucks," Bietio said.
"Well, the one I suspect won't be there is a doctor in her residency," Ellie said.
"She's busy?" Bietio asked.
Judas in my mind
Judas in my mind
"Yes, and knowing her is trying to over-achieve while doing it," Ellie said.
"Sounds like a hard act to follow," Bietio said.
"We're actually very close," Ellie said, "The only sister I'm not terribly close to is my baby sister, but that's because of the age difference."
"So, when do you expect to be back?" Bietio asked.
"I don't know, exactly," Ellie said, "Probably before Fashion Week."
Bietio nodded, "I do have a question," he said.
Ellie smiled, "I knew you did," she said, "Ask."
What have I become? Now that I've betrayed
Everyone I've ever loved, I pushed them all away
And I have been a slave to the Judas in my mind
Is there something left of me to save
In the wreckage of my life? My life
"When did you change styles?" Bietio asked.
"I have many different styles, I usually wear BoHo Style, but someone got me these," Ellie said.
"What?" Bietio asked.
"What?" Ellie asked, with laughing eyes and a smile, "I guess I'm a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a bitch."
"Right," Bietio said.
"Don't you believe me?" Ellie asked and sipped her coffee.
"I don't know what to believe," Bietio said, and sipped his coffee.
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
I'm becom-, I'm becom-, I'm becoming
Judas in, Judas in my mind
Judas in my mind
