Page 8 of Doctor Neighbor

"This can't be happening," I whisper, reading through the list of infractions. Improper food storage, inadequate handwashing facilities, pest control issues. Each violation feels like a personal attack.

“Fuck."

“You said a bad word, Mommy.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Honey.” Fucking A. I’m suffocating right now, trying to make sense of this letter and keep it together in front of Maddie. This keeps happening… And I feel like I am going to break.

I grab my phone, hands shaking as I dial my manager, Nelson.

"Hey, Coles. What's up?"

"We've got a problem," I say, my voice tight. "Big problem. Health Department violation."

There's a pause on the other end. "How bad?"

"Bad enough to shut us down if we don't fix it fast. And it's a weekend. I'm sure we won't be able to reach John Early before Monday. Oh, my God. Why is this happening?” When I have something hanging over me, I want to fix it immediately. I feel powerless to do anything about this. My mind is firing on all cylinders with everything swirling around me.

I hear him curse under his breath. "Okay, don't panic. We'll figure this out."

But I'm already panicking. Brewed Awakening is my life, my dream, the way I support my daughter and me. The thought of losing it and income almost makes it hard to breathe for a moment.

"Mommy?" Maddie's voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. "Can you help me with this picture?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Coming, sweetie."

"Look, I need to think about this. I'll scan the letter and email it to you shortly. We need to get on this like yesterday."

"I'll see what I can find out today. But we will take care of this. Try not to worry."

My mind is whirling as I join Maddie at the coffee table. How am I going to fix this? What if I can't? The cafe is everything to me: my livelihood, my passion. And now, because of some stupid oversight, it's all hanging by a thread.

Thursday, August 8

7:59 am

I'm rushing down the sidewalk, my mind racing with all the points I need to make in this meeting. Maddie's drop-off took forever this morning, and now I'm cutting it way too close for comfort. My phone buzzes with another email, probably from Nelson with last-minute advice. I swipe it open, trying to read and walk at the same time.

"Whoa, careful there!"

A pair of hands steadies me as I nearly collide with someone. I look up, ready to mutter a quick apology, when I freeze. It's Buster, of all people.

"Cole! Fancy bumping into you here," he grins, clearly trying for a joke. Can’t he see that I’m in a rush? His light, cheerful demeanor makes me want to punch him.

I blink, my brain struggling to shift gears. "Oh. Hi."

"You look like you're in a hurry. Everything okay?"

I glance at my phone. Shit. Five minutes until the meeting starts. "Yeah, fine. Just late for something important."

"Listen, about the other day at the park?—”

"Sorry, I really can't talk right now," I cut him off, already stepping around him. "I've got to run."

"Oh, sure. Maybe we could grab coffee sometime and catch up?"

I'm barely listening, already moving past him. "Yeah, maybe. Gotta go. Bye!"

I don't wait for his response, picking up my pace again. I can feel his eyes on my back as I hurry away, but I push the encounter out of my mind. I've got bigger problems right now than awkward run-ins with one-night stands from years ago.

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