Tangled

13 Ava: Husky (II)

Carlos‘ words bring me out of my little mini–funk, and I nod. “I need to make as much money as I can before the summer semester. I’m going to need money for tuition, books, miscellaneous fees, and then hopefully a car. Between rent and life necessities, I really need the overtime. I’m lucky Mrs. Elkins is even letting me

work this much.”

He nods, wiping down the counter as I replenish napkins in the dispenser. “She’s got a way about her.

Takes care of us all. Sometimes I wonder if she’s even making money off this place. We sell a lot of coffee, but not so many books.”

He’s not wrong; I’ve thought the same. My shoulders lift in a vague shrug, and I start cleaning off the end tables of newspapers, magazines, and books.

“I have no idea, but I can’t imagine she would run a business just to lose money.” I pause, thinking of the sweet old lady and how she treats every customer who enters her shop like family. “Would she?”

“Wouldn’t put it past her.” Carlos puts together a sinful

14:40 –

176

13 Ava: Husky (1)

cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

wink. “Here, just how you like it. Go take a break with that dog out there. Have you checked her

beverage and sighing in bliss. “No collar,” I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious for running away. I’m sure she’ll wander

scratches are gone.”

ebb and flow in a familiar pattern, and I’m surrounded by the

is slow, Carlos regales me with

his social media news feeds. He’s been begging me to open up my own profile, but I always decline.

to find me here, in this last bastion of peace on earth. Which, yes, is a cringe level of melodramatic, but it’s how I

soul.

250

Husky

finally time to close, and the husky is still there, asleep on the sidewalk in front of our door. It takes little time to wipe down the last of the tables, gathering stray cups and napkins and tossing them into the trash. I’m exhausted from the

bit of a

his fingers flying faster

your furry friend is still

by those eyes so eerily similar to my own, and I feel a bizarre tug in my chest. I want to take her home, but that doesn’t seem intelligent. I live in a tiny apartment above a store. I’m not even sure

14:40 –

3/6

Husky

there’s no yard near us, just a tiny square with a well–groomed tree popping out of it

little headway in trying to clean and organize everything, mainly because I’m taking every shift Mrs.

he finishes up with the money. “She’s waiting for

“Why would she be

all day? She probably thinks you’re

I had a chance to toss them her way. What can I say? I have a soft spot