Handsy

2. Luke-1

2 Luke

“When you are done counting down the register place the deposit in the safe under my desk in the back office.” I explained to Suzi. “I’ll leave it open for you. All you need to do is shut the door, and it locks automatically.” It was her first time closing the coffee shop. Normally I took care of it since I lived upstairs, but I had to fetch my paintings from Jackson Ward Galleries so they could show another artist’s work.

“Here are the keys. You don’t have to give them back, I’d rather you keep them in case of an emergency.” I dropped them in her outstretched hand.

“I promise not to mess anything up.” Suzi grinned and pocketed them. I had a feeling she liked having more responsibility. She only worked a few hours a week since she was still a senior at Open High School and she also played the cello with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I need Monday the 26th off. It’s my final court date.” Suzi was becoming emancipated, a legal adult though she was only seventeen. Now she lived with Sneaky, who owned the bar next door. After Suzi graduated in June, she’d be working full time at the coffee shop while I bartended next door and pursued my true passion, art.

“Is Sneaky going with you to the hearing?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if she can’t go I’ll get Josh to cover for me and I’ll go with you instead.” I squeezed her shoulder and then she surprised me with a hug. She was a tall girl and had recently cut off the long braids she’d worn in favor of a shaved look that matched mine. Neither of us were very touchy feely, so I knew it was heartfelt.

When Suzi had shown up at work six months ago with a suitcase and her cello in hand, Sneaky immediately took her in. Her religious parents had tossed her out for the sin of being a lesbian. Our friends had chipped in to help. Josh and Serge, who both worked for the Richmond Symphony gave her free cello lessons and passed her a bit of cash to help out. Spencer and Michael, who lived upstairs from Sneaky, made sure she had food in the fridge since Sneaky was always busy at work. Erik, who was a social worker with the Richmond Public Schools, enrolled her at Open High, which was around the corner on Pine Street.

“Thanks Luke. You guys have become my family, and I appreciate everything you’ve done.” Suzi let go of me and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then a customer came in and I stepped away from the counter. A huge smile spread across her face when she recognized the customer who, apparently, was one of her teachers. How Suzi’s parents could have abandoned such a sweet young woman was beyond me.