Jeff arrives for his shift as I'm about to say something to Scarlet. I assume it's him just because of how Scarlet described the guy. He is overweight, walking in slow motion, and wearing an oversized shirt that is tight around his belly, exposing his belly bottom. He carries a torn and dirty backpack over his shoulder. "Sorry, I'm late again," he says.

"As usual. Honestly, I thought you wouldn't even come today." Scarlet rolls her eyes at him. He clocks himself in and glances at the schedule hanging on the wall. "So, who am I working with today?"

"Jeez, where part of the planet Earth do you live in, Jeff? You work with Cassidy."

"Cassidy," she looks up at me. Despite being intimidating, she's shorter than me. "This is the upstairs neighbor I told you about." She glances at him, "Jeff, I'm glad you're feeling better. Welcome back to work."

"I took lots of vitamin C while resting at home."

"Wait. Is Mountain Dew your vitamin C?"

Now Jeff is rolling his eyes at Scarlet, "Thank god we're not on the same shift, boss."

"I agree," she laughs, removing the croissants from the box and placing them on the counter. Then she removes her apron and hangs it on the wall. "Well, I'm out of here. Take care of this place like that's your baby. Cassidy, you have another hour before you go home for the day." Jeff and I see Scarlet taking off with her springy steps.

"Well, I'm going to fix myself an espresso. You know, I need to wake up," Jeff says while rubbing his eyes, wiping off the little crust on each corner, "I slept a little late last night."

He grabs a small cup and places it under the coffee machine. I hear the grinding sound of fine beans hitting through the cast metal and the whistling blow of coffee brewing. The scent of fresh java is inviting.

"Make it a two," I tell him. A boost of caffeine will help me throughout this shift. Sophie's is practically empty, and there isn't much to do. Only one customer is sitting on the corner now.

Jeff begins as he sips his coffee, "I know. She is kind of a bitch isn't she?"

I try to contain my laugh, "Yeah."

"She will get over you."

Next, Jeff wears his apron around his waist, hiding his half-exposed belly button. It's not so bad to hang out with Jeff. I sit on a chair behind the counter, letting him talk about his games and the last Marvel movie he'd watched this summer. I even let him spoil for me.

"I watched the one with Edward Norton," I say.

He cracks a laugh, "The Incredible Hulk? What part of the world have you spent the last few years? Where have you been hiding?" That's an old movie.

"Hum."

"The Marvel company picked a different actor for the Hulk role."

"I don't watch Marvel. Sorry."

"I can see that. Don't tell me you've watched Twilight."

I crack a laugh, "In fact, I did." Jeff is better than Scarlet had described. He might be lazy to do chores but has a sense of humor. I'd rather work with him than someone like Mike.

I'm going to smoke." He says as he grabs a cigarette from his pocket. "You want one?"

"No, thanks."

As Jeff heads by the dumpsters in the back, I look for something to keep me busy. I have forty minutes to leave my shift and head home.

"May I help you?" I ask a man entering Sophie's. This man looks like he hasn't taken a shower for a few days, his torn-apart jeans above his tennis shoes, exposing the different colored socks underneath.

"A small coffee, ma'am," he says. His beard covers half his face with a long braid under his chin. Despite his crooked smile, his hands shake as he handles the one-dollar bill.

"It is two dollars and fifty cents for the coffee, sir," I tell him politely.

"I don't have any more money," he tells me as he scratches the side of his neck with his dirty nails. His forehead is sweating profoundly, and I wonder if he is feeling well.

"Don't worry. Here." I grab one dollar and fifty cents from the tip jar and place it inside the cash register to complete the remaining balance.

"I don't usually meet nice people like you around here."

"Thanks. Have you eaten today? Would you like anything?" I ask him. I hope Jeff won't come back from his smoke break anytime soon.

"That chocolate chip muffin sounds delicious," he points to the chocolate muffin through the glass.

"Oh, here it is," I grab the muffin with a tong, placing on a napkin and handle to the man. Then, I hold two dollars and fifteen cents from the tip jar and repeat the same process.

"I appreciate it. God sees everything. Can I have a spoon for my coffee?" he asks me next, and I do what he says.

Denver enters Sophie as I give the man a plastic spoon and a few extra sugar packages for the coffee.

"I'd like a regular spoon. I don't like plastic stuff."

"Understandable," I tell him. I admire that despite his difficulties, he is conscious of the environment. We need more conscious people in the world.

"Having a good day, Buddy?" Denver asks him.

"I certainly am, thanks to this beautiful young lady here." His comment makes me blush, not because of him but because of Denver.

"Oh, that's why I like her so much," Denver says. He can be adorable when he is smiling. I confess I'm relieved Jeff is coming back from his smoke break.

"Hey, Griffin, I'm glad you made it," They shake hands. "I thought you wouldn't come."

"When have I disappointed?"

"Never," Jeff tells him. "Come to the back. The Cherry wine is in my backpack." "Cherry wine," I repeat. "That sounds interesting."

"It's from Door County, and it's pretty good."

I tell him, "I'm sure my supervisor won't be back now, but before they do, I don't want to get in trouble because you keep crossing the line. You know you don't work here, Denver. Why are you going back there with Jeff?"

"It's just fine. I just brought him the wine. You don't want me to exchange alcohol bottles in front of the customers, right?"

I'm without words, but none of this is my problem. Jeff should be the one setting boundaries with Denver.

"Besides, I didn't come here because of you this time. I didn't know this was your shift."

"That's good to know," I say, bending over to get a chicken wrap. I remove the wrap and give my first bite when they are both gone. They are back by the time I pass the second bite.

"I heard you're going on the camping trip with Denver," Jeff tells me.

"I work on the weekends. No. I'm not going with him."

"Well, I heard you are," Denver fixes my words.

"I'm not going."

"Too bad. Well, I got to go. I have soccer in a few minutes."

I'm relieved when Denver takes off and doesn't linger any longer. Jeff grabs his cell and says he needs to make a quick phone call but will return soon. I have thirty minutes left.

Next, I open a bag of dark roast coffee, grasp for a filter, and brew fresh java into the pot. The one customer is sitting in the corner. Maroney. His eyes never leave the laptop screen. He looks intelligent and confident in what he does. I wonder what he does. My thoughts are interrupted by the phone ringing at Sophie's. I answer.

"Hi, Sylvia."

"I'm just checking how things are going there. I'm going on a date." I can't stop feeling happy for Sylvia. A woman who had overcome the loss of her baby. Sophie. She is thriving.

"Are you? That's great. Things here are well. Not busy."

"That's good. Make sure you put Jeff to move his ass."

I laugh, "I will. Hey Sylvia. Do you have the schedule for next week?" Will I be stuck on doubles again?

"Actually, I do. You are not on the schedule for next weekend," she cheers on the phone.

"Why am I not on the schedule for next weekend?" I need the extra cash, and what am I to do by myself, anyway?

"Cassidy. You've been working a lot of double shifts lately. Meggie and Danika texted me yesterday to let me know you're going on a camping trip with them."

"Camping trip?" I almost spill my coffee as I hear the word camping. "No, Sylvia. I'm not going. I wasn't invited at all." I didn't feel Danika even liked me in the first place. That sounds more like Denver's idea than her own. And about Meggie's idea? She has yet to call back since the night in Sparrow.

"Well, I guess you're invited now."

I hang up the phone, wondering how I am going on this camping trip. I don't have a tent or air mattresses. I don't even have a car. Jeff never returns from his phone call. I now have twenty minutes left. My veggie wrap is still over my plate, unfinished.

"Hi, Buddy. Would you like the rest of my chicken wrap?"

"Oh yes, of course," he smiles. "You can leave here for me. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to the restroom quickly," he says when he sees a customer opening the bathroom door. "God bless you again," he says.