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 –

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13 Ava: Husky (1)

cup

of caramel–toffee mocha with an obscene amount

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

in bliss. “No collar,” I confirm with a shrug. “Huskies are notorious for running away.

scratches are gone.”

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

slow, Carlos

reads on his social media news feeds. He’s been begging

on earth. Which, yes,

soul.

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Husky (0)

tables, 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

a little bit of a

the door to ‘Closed‘ as he counts out the register, his fingers flying faster than I would have ever thought possible when going through

furry friend is still out there?”

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

14:40 –

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Husky (1)

yard near us, just a tiny square with a well–groomed tree popping out of it in the middle

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

little jingle as he finishes up with the money. “She’s

my eyes. “Why would she be waiting for me?”

all day? She probably thinks

true, She’s been scarfing down bits of muffin and croissant whenever I had a chance to toss them her way. What can I say? I have a soft spot for animals.