“I just had a feeling this was what you wanted.” Jacob blushed. “So I wanted you to have it.”
“Holy shit, it’s working.” Teddy exclaimed.
“Well…sure. Here let me pay you.” Joe responded as he reached for his wallet.
“Not at all. This is on the house.” Jacob smiled at him. Joe smiled back.
“I couldn’t think of it-”
“No, no. I insist.” Jacob responded. “I just think you deserve something nice today.”
“Well…I greatly appreciate that. What a time to count your blessings.” Joe responded as he stopped reaching for his wallet and smiled at Jacob. For a moment their attention was focused on each other and it felt right. The world around them melted into a soft butter state where everything was comfortable and warm.
“Make out!” Teddy screamed.
“Shut up!” Jacob hissed.
“What?” Joe asked.
“Nothing- go on.” Jacob smirked.
He leaned over the counter, pushed the coffee to the side and lowered his voice.
“Look, I know I come in here a lot but I was wondering-”
“The answer is yes.” Jacob responded too quickly. “Sorry, instinct. What is it?”
“I just wanted to ask-” Joe responded. “Oh shoot, shoelace.”
“What?” Jacob asked, when Joe knelt down to tie the lace of his shoe.
Then, before Jacob could fully comprehend what was happening, some blonde asshole raced up to the counter, grabbed the coffee and slammed down a $5 bill.
“No Cheryl, I said NOT to reach out to Marcus! That asshole has it out for me!” He looked briefly to Jacob with his beady eyes and slicked back hair, gave him a nod with his stupid mouse face as if somehow that would make it all better and turned to leave. With as much determination as he had entered the man was almost out the door by the time that Joe had finished tying his lace.
“That wasn’t yours!” Jacob exclaimed as the man slowed down his exit.
“I guess it’s not quite on the house then.” Joe shrugged.
“That asshole just stole your drink!” Jacob exclaimed.
“No need to swear now…” Joe began, but Jacob was fuming.
“Skin that bitch.” Teddy coaxed.
“Hey! Hey you! Dickhead! That coffee doesn’t belong to you!” Jacob leapt out from behind the counter and stormed after the man. He grabbed him by the shoulder and whipped him around. He contemplated whether he was the type of man to punch someone in the face for stealing coffee - but then froze. Jacobwasn’t sure what the next step was going to be, but as they faced off, the man opened his mouth and a giant stream of foam poured from his mouth. His eyes rolled back and the man began twitching like a maniac. Without warning the man dropped to the floor so quickly Jacob almost didn’t have time to catch him.
“Oh my god, I think he’s having an allergic reaction!” Joe cried out. “That coffee wasn’t made for him…” Teddy whispered.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Jacob whispered back.
“You made a drink for someone else, and he took it, and now he’s paying the price.” Teddy responded. “And now he’s reacting like a slug is reacting to salt.”
“So you’re saying-” Jacob began.
“Don’t mix up your drink orders.” Teddy whispered.
“Get back, this man needs some air.” Joe responded. He moved and acted like the boy scout leader Jacob frequently imagined him to be. “Step back. I know CPR.”
