See you on the other side

MY hands gripped the wheel tight; the leather making a creaking sound. A jolt of g force burst through my body as the car shot forward. My foot pushing the pedal to the floor as far as it would go. I watched the Speedometer climb quickly. 60, 70, 80, 90. Bracing myself in my seat I maneuvered the car expertly around the bends and turns that make up the road through the mountainous valley leading in and out of town. Hitting 150mph on the straightaway I locked my elbows and tucked my chin then pushed my foot even harder on the pedal squeezing every bit of speed out of my ford focus before slamming my foot of the break pedal and throwing the car into a controlled slide. Breathing heavily, I released my hands from the wheel as the car came to a stop. I glanced out the windshield at the road ahead. About 5 more miles and you would hit the first light coming into town. Atlas Cove isn’t a small town, but it also isn’t big either. With a population of about 25000 the Town sits happily nested on the shores of lake Atlas with large snowcapped mountains cradling it on both sides. Having lived here my whole life I didn’t know much else, and that was supposed to have changed for me 5 years ago but instead my life came crashing down around me and I lost the person who meant the most to me. The person that I planned my future with, shared dreams with and wanted to escape with. Letting out a sigh and put the car into first starting my cruise back into town. Driving just below the limit I pass rows of houses and shops. With spring in full effect, the gardens are starting g to come back to life. Tulips popping up and flowing brightly from people’s flower boxes, trees just finishing their budding almost full of bright green, yellow and red leaves. Life returning to the streets now that the bitter cold has come and gone. It’s still early in the day so most storefronts are still closed up but, in an hour, or two the main stretch will be packed and fully alive. Pulling into a parking spot on main street I shifted the car to park and shut off the engine. I flipped down the visor sliding the plastic door to reveal myself in the small mirror. Dark amber eyes stare back at me, framed with thick dark lashes coated in a small amount of mascara. I quickly run my fingers through my hair trying to brush out any knots in my thick brown hair. I’d put extra effort in this morning to smooth out my natural curls opting for a pin straight look instead. Something I’d been working to perfect the last 5 years. I used to always wear my hair natural. Myles always said he liked it that way. I played with a strand of hair absently thinking about all the times he would pull one of my curls between two fingers, then letting go to watch it bounce back into place. A small smile reaches my lips thinking about it. Breaking from my thoughts I pull the keys from the ignition and grab my bag out of the passenger side slinging it over my shoulder climbing out of the car tossing the door shut after me. I beep the car twice and then turn to jog across the street towards the small café I opened shortly after everything happened. I named it Perdita Café. Meaning Lost in Latin. A reminder everyday of how life f*****g sucks, and that getting attached to people is only going to hurt when they inevitably leave – willing or not. Pulling the door open the bell gives a quick jingle signaling my entrance. “Morning Lenny!” Zina chirped. A huge smile on her face as always, she stood tall behind the counter using tongs to move butter croissants from a baking sheet to a glass display case basket. She was a gorgeous girl with long brown hair flowing past her shoulders and down her back. Her Chocolate brown eyes twinkling to match her joyful and upbeat aura. Zina and I had been friends since grade nine. One day after a bullying incident she decided to pick a side, and I guess she figured mine was the one she wanted to stand on. To this day I’m not sure why, but all the same I appreciate her friendship. “Hey Z. We about ready to open?” “Yeah, just gotta put the blueberry muffins out and we should be good. Darren is in the back already. He should be just about finished prepping for the special you wanted today.” Darren is my sous chef. I hired him after the Café started getting too busy for me to manage on my own during the lunch and dinner rushes. Being only 2 blocks away from the main docks we tend to get slammed during fishing seasons. All the dock workers who contract in spring and fall flock to the Café for a warm meal and a hot cup of coffee on their breaks. “Great” I replied offering her a small smile in return. Walking around behind the counter I tossed my bag down under the register and grabbed an apron of the hook on the wall tying it around my waist. Flipping the switch on the wall to illuminate the open sign that hangs in the window, I silently pray that the day will be busy enough to let me not have time to think about what tomorrow is. I turn to prep the next pot of coffee and a few moments later I hear the familiar sound of the bell signaling a customer. Without looking up I holler out “with you in a minute” and continue putting the coffee grounds into the filter. Sliding the basket into the machine and clicking the red button I turn around sliding my notepad and pen out of my apron pocket. I expect to see a tired fisherman when I look up but instead, I come face to face with eyes dark as obsidian. My breath hitches as I take him in. I could swear I had seen him before, I’m just not sure where. His chiseled jaw is covered in a short closely trimmed beard. His nose perfectly shaped and cheekbones hard. His hair is done to look effortlessly messy but still done. The suit he is wearing must cost more than I make in a month running the Café. Not the kind of man you would expect to see running around this small town. Steeling myself and straightening my shoulders I offer a smile. “What can I get for you.” His eyes search my face slowly as he replies “coffee, black.” I nod slightly grabbing the fresh pot from the machine and a mug from the shelf below. The air between us feels thick and I can sense his eyes on me as I place the mug on the counter in front of him tilting the carafe and filling the mug with steaming coffee. “You new to town?” The man picks up his mug and takes a small sip his eyes still glued to mine. Slowly putting it back down, it makes a ‘clink’ sound when it hits against the laminate top. “I’m just here for a few days. Family stuff, and a couple business meetings.” I offer a small nod gulping down the mass of saliva that’s pooled in my mouth. I don’t know why this man is having this kind of effect on me, and it’s starting to irritate me. “Right then. If you need anything else my names Lennon” His eyes take another quick look up and down my body eliciting a chill down my spine. I can’t help but feel like I’m being stripped naked as his eyes roam over me. “Thanks…” His mouth stays open a second more as if to say more snaps shut, he grits his teeth together, Jaw tense. He looks away, putting his attention back on his coffee. “Sure” I offer, giving him one more small smile before I place the carafe back on the hot plate and duck through the swinging door that separates the kitchen from the dining area. “Who is that sexy hunk of raw man?!” Zina whisper yells enthusiastically nudging me hard in my side. The jolt of her elbow startles me, and I let in a huge breath of air. I didn’t realize I had been holding it until now. Averting her eyes, I walk quickly over to the oven racks. “I don’t know, just some guy. Says he’s in town for some family stuff and business.” I start offloading a fresh baked pan of triple chocolate cookies onto a lined display tray. “Did you get his name?” “No, why?” “I wanna see if he’s googleable! A man that f*****g hot, wearing a suit that expensive? He’s gotta be someone important!” I throw her a grimace. “Relax Z. He’s not even that attractive.” She shoots me a knowing look and then turns back to her task of filling the napkin dispensers. I’m lying to both of us, but I refuse to admit it. It’s not like this guy would be sticking around anyways which is even more of a reason for me not to care regardless of how he seems to be affecting me. I’m not interested in getting to know anyone else. I have enough people in my life, and the way I see it- the more I let in, the likelier I am to lose one. Something I’m not willing to risk if I don’t have to. I already lost Myles and that almost killed me. I spent the next few minutes finishing transferring the cookies. Picking up the tray I make my way back out to the dining area placing them on the counter. The man from before is gone now. His coffee mug empty, and a hundred-dollar bill folded in half tucked under the base. I place the cookies in the display before picking up the money and looking around. I spot the man across the street getting into a sleek grey sports car through the window. “Oh wow!” Zina exclaims over my shoulder snatching the bill out of my hand. She must have followed me from the kitchen. “Handsome as s**t and a good tipper?! I hope he comes back.” I offer a tight smile and roll my eyes at her, turning back to the window I watch him pull away and speed off down the street. Who was that man? He said he has family in town, and business to manage. He doesn’t look like anyone who would belong around here. Not even the execs of major import and export companies come through this town. They all probably meet in surrey, or Seattle. He definitely isn’t a fisherman. I shake my head. Why do I even care? “Stop this Lennon” I scream at myself in my head. Tossing the money in the till I give my head one more shake and get back to work.