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Well, they called Stella. They showed up on my doorstep.
“It’s your mom, dude. I know there’s more there than a shrug,” Todd said.
“It is what it is. Nothing I can do about it. We buried them yesterday. The nightmare is over,” I said.
“Wait, you buried them yesterday? As in, Thursday yesterday? The fuck didn’t you tell me, man? I would’ve been there!”
“It was just a small gathering. You know my mother and her husband kept to themselves. Plus, my mom thought you were annoying,” I said.
“She just had the hots for me, that’s all,” he said, grinning.
“You think every cougar has the hots for you,” I said.
“Because they do. You should see the way some of these women stare at me when they come in. They’re all about it, man.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I said. “Anyway, the reading of their wills is on Monday,” I said.
“Ooooh, nice. Expecting anything fun? Exciting? Lucrative?” he asked.
“It’s really not a big deal,” I said. “I’ll sit there and listen to them leave everything to Stella, then I’ll go get a drink and go home.”
“Speaking of Stella, how’s your sister holding up?” he asked.
“Stepsister, and we don’t talk much,” I said.
“You just lost your mother, and she just lost her father. You mean to tell me you guys haven’t talked at all?” he asked. The look on his face was almost comical. Almost.
“I mean, we didn’t get along growing up,” I said, leaning against the counter. “She was the bright and shining star, and I was the kid who always needed to be like her. It wasn’t exactly a love-hate relationship, but it was pretty fucking close. Nothing like standing in the shadow of someone who did nothing wrong, ever.”
“But, isn’t she younger than you? Isn’t the shadow supposed to be cast on the younger kid?” he asked and lifted an eyebrow. He had to think I was being an idiot.
“You’d think. But, no. Plus, she was a massive brat.” I glanced down at my hands before looking back up at him. “A major pain in the ass. To everyone.”
“How so?” he asked.
“Picky about everything: her food, the way she looked, the people she hung out with. She was one of those ‘mean girls’ without ever intentionally being a bitch to their face. Always played it innocent with her light green eyes,” I said.
“So, you didn’t get along with her because she was manipulative and spoiled?” he asked.
“I didn’t get along with her because she was the favorite. Even with my mother, she treated her differently. It was odd. I don’t know how to explain it,” I said.
“Well, try,” he said.
“Could you do that after you take my order?” a masculine voice resounded from beside us. The aggravation in it wasn’t hidden in the slightest.
We both turned our heads and looked at the frustrated customer standing at the register. He was drumming his fingers on the counter and sticking his tongue in his cheek, and I saw Todd put on his best customer service smile before he went over to work.
“Forgive me; my friend just lost his mother. Can I help you?” Todd asked, giving the guy a look that could be kind or a warning, depending on if you knew him.
“I don’t know, can you?” the man asked, his shoulders pulled back, his grimace growing by the minute. Asshole.
“I most certainly can. It’s why I’m behind the counter,” Todd said, still smiling. “What would you like this morning?”
“Someone who’s smart enough to give me some options,” he said.
“That’s what the menu behind my head is for, sir,” Todd said, keeping his cool far better than I would have been able to.
“I never look at menus; it never showcases a coffee house's best options. What are your specialties? Or signature drinks?” the man asked.
