Page 6 of Pet Project

Chuckling to myself, I throw a thumbs up emoji in the group chat and put my phone back in my backpack. One thing Eric is always good for is making me feel better. I don’t know how he does it. Matt might be his hero, but he is the real hero. He saved me that night by not letting me run away after Eli pulled my ass off the street that night.

Wiping away the tears, I am thankful that I didn’t inherit my mama’s lighter complexion. At least my darker skin can more easily hide the fact that I had been crying. It’s uncomfortable enough to get ridiculed for being a man that cries, but it’s twice as bad being a black man who cries. I can’t hide my ethnicity, so I try to hide my feelings instead. It doesn’t always work when I’m also struggling with an anxiety disorder.

The dinging of the bell above the door when I walk back inside makes me jump again even though I knew itwas going to happen. Glancing around the room, I notice it is relatively empty and heave a sigh of relief. It’s bad enough that it was packed when I had my little freak out, but if there were any of those people still in the room, I would likely have to run off all over again.

“You alright, kiddo?” an older gentleman asks from one of the corner tables. “You look like you’ve lost a couple shades there. Pretty soon, you’ll be as white as me.”

I chuckle at the old man’s borderline racist humor. I know he doesn’t mean any harm. Mr. Jones was Mama’s neighbor back before…well, everything. Looking at him now, the old man hasn’t seemed to change at all, except maybe some more wrinkles.

“And you look like someone forgot to shake you when you came out of the wash, old man,” I laugh and run over to give him a hug. “I’ve missed you, Mr. Jones.”

I can feel the tears coming again, but this time I don’t care. This man was the closest thing I’ve ever known to a grandparent, to safety, before I was ripped away – before the nightmares completely took over.

6

DONNIE

The commotion out front pulls me away from the conundrum that somehow was Walt’s method of bookkeeping. I have no clue how the man was able to keep this place in business for the last thirty years, but I need to make sense of these records it if I ever want to convince someone to invest in the expansion plans I have.

“Jessie? What’s going on up there?” I call out to my opening barista and assistant manager. She is a great help and talented with the coffee, but her people skills could use some work. One of these days, I have to talk to her about it. I’ve gotten a few complaints, but I don’t have anyone else capable to take over opening for me when I have things to do in the mornings.

“Some kid was holding up the line,” she calls back. “I got it under control, boss.”

Shaking my head, I get back to work. After another hour, I decide it’s time to head out front to relieve Jess forher break since Tyson doesn’t start until eleven. I’d rather not make Jess go for a full three hours before getting a break at all.

Walking around the corner, I notice Walt hugging a young man and whispering in his ear. The kid looks like he’s crying, and something inside of me shifts.

I want to be the one to comfort him.

Hold on… What the fuck?

Nudging Jess with my hip, I ask her in a whisper, “When did Walt show up? And who’s that with him?”

She shrugs before reaching under the counter for her vape pen. I have no clue what question she’s shrugging in response to, but I don’t push. She’s not going to waste time now that I’ve given her the opportunity to get her nicotine in. At least the vape doesn’t have the customers complaining about the smell when she comes back in.

“Hey Walt,” I call out to the guys in the corner. “What can I get you and your friend there?”

The old man smiles at me but doesn’t let go of the younger guy. After a whispered conversation, he gives me their orders.

“The professor’s usual. My usual. And get this young’un a cookies and cream blender thing with extra whip and sprinkles.”

The man in question pulls back from the hug with a look of shock on his face. I have trouble holding back my chuckle at the rosy tint darkening the deep mocha color of his cheekbones. I want to see that happen again. I want tomakethat happen again.

Ugh, I need to get laid apparently if I’m thinking of hitting on a very young friend of my former boss.

“You got it, Old Man,” I call out as I carefully adjust myself with the heel of my hand behind the counter. I definitely do not need to be having thoughts like this for a guy. Instead of focusing on the question of whether his skin is as soft as it looks, I wash my hands and get started on the drinks.

The other couple of students who were loitering in the shop leave while I’m still fixing the frozen drink for Walt’s friend. I’m about to take the drinks over to them when I hear the damn bell over the door. I hate the thing, but it’s useful in letting me know that I need to put on my customer service act.

“Welcome to… Oh, hey Lew.”

Professor Barnes waves absently while glancing around the room. When his eyes take in Walt with his young man, the tension in his body seems to bleed out of him. Turning back to me at the register, he gives me a smile.

“Call me Matt, Donnie.” He pulls out his wallet to pay for the drinks at the end of the counter. “Those paid for yet?”

I wave away his attempt to pay for the drinks. “What good is owning a coffee shop if I can’t give my friends a few freebies now and then?”

Chuckling, he gathers up the three drinks and heads over to the corner. I want to eavesdrop on the conversation, but that damn bell rings again.

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