Fourth Saturday
I sigh in relief as I am hit with the warm air of the cafe. Walking here in forty degree weather is not exactly fun. The breeze went right through my layers of clothing which kept me shivering the whole way here. I should have just driven.
Again, I am welcomed with a greeting from the working baristas and the quick glances of customers distracted by the chime of the door. More employees were working this morning, which surprises me since I arrived earlier than I did two weeks ago.
Last week, I got a call from my mom telling me my father was taken to the hospital because there was something off about his behavior. I flew back to Nessis City on friday and stayed at the hospital with my mom and little brother. Saturday night, we were finally given the information that my dad had stage three blood cancer. We were, and still are, so devastated. Tuesday afternoon, my mom encouraged me to fly back since I had already missed two days of classes and she didn't want me to become more behind. I hesitantly agreed, but I wish I could have stayed longer. My dad is supposed to be starting chemotherapy soon which makes me nervous but it's his best chance of survival.
Ever since the phone call, I have been emotionally and physically drained. Nothing sounds appealing. Everything is dull and unexciting and boring. It's like my life was full of color and brightness then switched to black and white. The life was completely sucked out of me.
I space out most of the time and can barely keep a conversation going. The last time I could was exactly a week ago while talking to my brother in the hospital's cafeteria. Honestly, I don't even know how I managed that. The past two days have been better but I'm still not the same.
I am awakened back into reality when someone tries squeezing past me out the door. I quickly apologize and make my way to the ordering counter of The Grind.
While waiting in the short, two person line, I scan the employees to see if Jack was here. To my disappointment, I couldn't find him in the clutter of workers. Hopefully I'll see him next Saturday.. or something.
Speaking of Jack, a flood of memories of this past week take up my mind. The beginning of last week, we had texted quite a bit. I was surprised to find that we had the same sense of humor so it was easy to keep a conversation going.
When I got the news, he continued to text me but my replies shortened and became more serious. I feel bad because I actually really like him but I just wasn't in the mood. When I didn't show up last week, he noticed and asked why but I just answered with 'family reasons'. Maybe if I see him today, I can explain.
After a few more minutes, I am still waiting in the same spot. Can they take any longer? I sigh and consider taking out my book but my thoughts are interrupted by the door chiming, once again. Without thinking much of it, I turn my head but realize it's Jack who is rushing through the door, running towards the counter. A smile reaches my face watching him tying up his apron, obviously in a hurry.
I cover my mouth as a giggle escapes, which causes Jack to look up. As soon as he spots me, he smiles wide and laughs along with me. Our private exchange is interrupted when his supervisor enters the room. Jack instantly gets to work, which leaves me bored again but a little happier than before.
Soon after, it's finally my turn to order, but all of the workers are occupied, so I am once again waiting. This time I get to watch Jack, which is probably somewhat creepy but I do it anyway. How does someone look so attractive while making a coffee? In a span of about twenty seconds, he finishes the order up and is walking towards me. I become flustered and my cheeks heat up because of my nervousness.
He smiles, "Hey, Grace. I'm happy you're back."
"Thanks, I'm happy you showed up. That entrance was quite dramatic," I giggle.
"Funny story... I slept right through my alarm because I was up late last night studying. After about an extra hour of sleep, someone was making a whole bunch of noise outside my apartment which woke me up. When I got a good look at my clock, I actually jumped out of bed and stumbled around trying to get my uniform on while also getting the rest of my stuff. I practically ran out the door half naked."
I broke out into laughter, "Wow, that sounds exciting." I notice his supervisor was eyeing us suspiciously. "I think we're being watched."
He turns and nods, "Yeah, I better take your order so I don't get another warning."
"When did you get a warning?"
"Two weeks ago when we were talking a bit too long after my break."
"Oh," I gasp, "I'm sorry. I didn't know-"
"Hey, hey, It's cool. Michael's pretty chill with that type of stuff. He just doesn't want to get fired." He laughs but sees my worried expression, "Don't worry about it. I won't do anything I know I shouldn't." In response, I nod my head and put in my order.
He makes it quickly and hands it to me with a mischievous grin.
"Should I be worried? You look as if you put poison in my coffee and you're now just waiting for me to take a sip."
He laughed while playfully putting his hands in the air. "Dang, you caught me."
I giggled while taking it to my booth.
"Look at your name." Jack calls out.
Confused, I glance down and see, "The girl I can't stop thinking about," scribbled across my cup. My cheeks heat up once again while my eyes meet his, along with a smile, from across the room. I mouth a 'Ha Ha Ha' to him in which he replies with "It's true," and an even larger grin.
After my butterflies calmed down and my hands stopped shaking, I started my school work. An hour and a half goes by and I surprisingly got a lot done. For almost the whole time, I didn't get distracted once. I've got to say, I'm proud of myself. My short fifteen minute break goes by quickly since my book has me hooked. Another hour and a half goes by of working on my literature homework and I decide to take the rest of the morning off, even though I probably will regret it later.
My phone buzzes just as I continue reading. 'I have a break in about ten minutes. If you aren't too busy, I'd like to sit with you. Would you like me to bring you another coffee?' it said. I smile and write back, 'Actually, I just finished my work for now so I'm not busy. I'd love to talk and a refill would be nice. I'll pay for if when you bring it over. Thanks :)'
Another buzz interrupts me, 'Okay, sounds good. Don't worry about the refill, it's on me... and you're welcome :)'
'You payed for my second drink last time, I got it but thank you for offering. And stop texting me! You'll get in trouble again.'
'I'll be fine. If anything, I'd get another warning."
'JACK, STOP TEXTING.'
'Okay, okay. I'll stop, now.'
I playfully roll my eyes while holding back laughter.
The ten minutes pass slowly. Out of nowhere, Jack appears in front of me with the two coffee's.
He sets them down with a smile, "On me."
I groan, "No, Jack. I told you I would pay."
"Yeah, you did suggest it," emphasizing 'suggest'. "But, I didn't listen."
"I can see that."
"I'll let you pay for it next time."
"Good." I laugh and take a sip of the coffee.
I hear a 'Maybe' whispered under Jack's breath.
"JACK!"
"Okay, Okay! I was just playing around." He chuckles. "I'm really glad I could see you today."
"So am I. Sorry I couldn't make it last week."
"Don't worry about it. It's not like you're required to be here."
"Yeah, I just really wish I could've been here. I absolutely love this place."
"What about me?" He jokes.
I blush, "Of course, I love spending time with you. That's a given." I say with a giggle.
My smile fades as my mind leaves the coffee shop and replays everything that has happened in these past two weeks.
"Grace? Grace? Hello?" He asks in confusion.
I snap of out my trance, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to space out. I've been doing that lately."
He frowns, "If you don't mind me asking... What happened last week? You don't seem to be acting the same. I mean you have similar energy but it seems kind of rehearsed."
"Um, yeah it's fine to ask. I-uh.. got a call a week ago from my mom telling me my dad was sent to the hospital.
"I booked a red-eye flight back Nessis City and immediately went to the hospital he was staying at. We were soon told that he had stage three blood cancer." I explain while my eyes begin to tear up.
"Oh, Grace... I- I'm so sorry. Come here." He stands up and opens his arms. I scoot out of my seat and embrace him. The tears start to flow out. I hold back the sobs rising in my throat. Feeling so vulnerable would usually make me feel uncomfortable but right now, even with everything that I'm having to deal with, I somehow feel at peace.
We stay like that for about thirty seconds then pull apart. "Can I sit with you on your side of the booth?"
"Yeah, of course. Just let me move my stuff."
He nods as I clear the area for him on my side. I then slide in the booth leaving room for him to sit next to me.
We sit there in silence for a few minutes, observing pedestrians outside the window or watching customers walking in and out the door.
Jack breaks the silence, at least between us, by clearing his throat. "Um..," he starts while rubbing the back of his neck, "I don't what this to come off weird or anything-" He cuts off immediately when he notices my panicked look. "No,no! It's not bad. Uh, sorry, that did come off pretty weird.. I-uh, just wanted to ask if I could hold your hand- I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable-"
Throughout Jack's rambling, my heart pace quickened and my palms began to sweat. You would think a twenty year old would be able to handle herself in this type of situation but of course I can't. "O-oh, yeah, that's, uh, totally fine with me."
He grins, grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers. During my twenty years of life, I've never held a boy's hand, romantically that is. My hands start to sweat from nerves which causes my cheeks to heat up.
"Uh, sorry my hands are clammy. They must feel so gross."
"Oh, stop worrying. You'll get used to it."
Was he implying he was interested in me? That he wanted to hold my hand again? I shouldn't be freaking out over something so minor.
He saw my look of confusion and surprise so he started, "Look, Grace. I really like you. I really want us to have something. With that being said, uh- would you like to maybe go out with me sometime?"
I can't seem to get any words out. I'm too shocked to even think. Jack takes my reaction wrong, "If you don't, that's okay. I can't force you to-"
"No-No! I mean, Yes-I would love to. I'm just shocked."
"Oh," he laughs, "I thought I just ruined everything."
"Oh, no. Of course not!" I laugh.
"So uh, are you free anytime this week?"
"I have classes in the morning on weekdays until noon. I'm free anytime after that."
"Can I pick you up after your classes? I can take you to lunch and we can hang out or something afterwards.. obviously."
"That sounds wonderful."
I've never done something like this, hopefully I don't mess anything up.