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

cream and slides it toward me with a wink. “Here, just how you like it. Go take a break with that dog out there.

shrug. “Huskies

scratches are gone.”

and flow in a familiar pattern, and I’m surrounded by the scent of books and coffee. I don’t think I’ve ever felt peace like I do here, working at the Novel

business is slow, Carlos regales me

stories and drama he reads on his social media news feeds. He’s been begging me to open up my own profile, but I

on earth. Which, yes, is

soul.

250

Husky (0)

gathering stray cups and napkins and tossing them into the trash. I’m exhausted from the double shift, but it’s the kind of tired that burrows deep into your bones and says you’ve worked hard. Like your body’s proud of you for what

of a masochist for thinking

me flip the sign on the door to ‘Closed‘ as he counts out the register, his fingers flying faster than I

is

pants leaving a foggy haze against it. Once again I’m struck 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 where she’s gone all day

14:40 –

3/6

Husky (1)

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

rag into the sink and think of the boxes everywhere in my apartment. I’ve made little headway in trying to clean and organize everything, mainly because I’m taking every shift Mrs. Elkins lets me work.

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

would she be waiting for me?”

day? She

can’t help but laugh. It’s true, She’s been scarfing down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them