Archive of Our Own ^beta

SUNDAY 

“Coffee. Black.” 

“Right away, sir!” 

Jackson Overland had been hired at the Guardian Coffee Company a little over a month ago. His mother had become ill and was unable to work for a while, so he took up a full time job to help keep his sister in school and to pay for his mother’s medication until she got better. 

It wasn’t like he was adverse to work. He loved to play around with his sister and the other kids in his neighborhood, so he often took up babysitting or part-time jobs involving small tasks or physical labor. Working at a Coffee shop however, was something else entirely. 

Jack considered himself a charismatic guy. Plenty of girls flirted with him. Older people doted over him. But every now and then he’d annoy someone. He rarely got into fights, but when they started, he was always sure to end them. Swift and efficiently, usually with a snowball to the offender’s face.

Jack had no idea what he expected when he accepted the job. The person who owned the facility was a mute man who called himself “Manny”. Jack knew very little sign language, but Manny had few words to ever say to him anyway. Everything had already been written out in contract. “Service with a smile” and “The Customer is always right” were in bold, and highlighted. So absolutely no fighting back. 

His first customer of the day had been coming in at the exact same time every Sunday. He was a British man, perhaps seven feet tall, with black hair and hazel eyes. He wore a long black coat, and a grey scarf settled over his shoulders. 

He always came in with a laptop or a phone, and sat for approximately one hour. He’d type away, probably for work. He’d sip his coffee throughout the hour, making it last until the clock hit 8:00. At that point, the man would pack up, toss his cup in the correct trash bin, and leave. 

He never smiled and was a man of very few words. Anyone that tried to approach him or speak to him were either met with a shrug or a glare. Something about this man seemed really scary. He unnerved Jack to no end. 

Luckily, the man never gave him any trouble or complained. But Jack wasn’t about to test fate and get his order wrong, no siree. Jack hadn’t realized he was staring at the man until he heard the clock chime the hour the man would leave. 

Without batting an eye, the man shut his laptop, took the last sip of his coffee, and stood. 

Jack quickly looked away, watching the man out of the corner of his eye as the Brit left the shop as scheduled. Jack sighed when the door closed. The Café atmosphere felt lighter with the man gone. 

He couldn’t tell if he dreaded the man’s presence, or was entertained by him. Was he the nicest customer he’s ever had, or the scariest? Perhaps both? 

Was the man even real, or just a cryptid, out to haunt this specific Café? Jack shrugged. Perhaps he will never know. 

MONDAY 

Monday was far more chaotic than Sunday. Jack thought he could handle what was ever dished out to him, even if he was prohibited from fighting back. He’s never loathed that rule as much as he did in this moment. 

“Oi! Ya gotta check yer ears, frostbite. Ai ordered aye Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino with soy milk and aye shot o’ caramel. This here’s aye Cappuccino with almond milk!” 

Jackson’s bottom eyelid twitched. Well well, if it wasn’t his favorite customer. Aster Bunnymund, his senior classmate in College. A tall, muscular man with dark tan skin and several tattoos. He’s a transfer student from Australia; majoring in Culinary Arts and Horticulture Science. 

“Sorry, sir. I’ll fix that right away.” Jack got to work on giving the pretentious bastard his “correct” ridiculous drink. He swore Aster made his orders long and complicated in spite of him. 

“Psh, honestly shouldn’t ‘ave expected much from ah college drop out like yerself. 

Jack rolled his eyes and blabbered silently with his mouth, mocking Aster. Luckily he was fixing the bastard’s drink with his back turned so Aster couldn’t see his disrespect, no matter how well deserved. 

“Like I’ve told you before Azzy, I didn’t “drop out”, I’m taking a break.” 

Jack wasn’t close enough with Aster to tell that jerkface about his family let alone their financial situation. 

The brunette slammed down Aster’s newly fashioned drink on the counter a little harsher than necessary. He gave his beloved customer the biggest, fakest smile he could muster. 

“Your Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino wit’ soy milk and aye shot o’ caramel, sir.” Jack mimicked a poor Australian accent, gently pushing the drink in Aster’s direction. 

The Australian scoffed with suspicion and snatched up the drink, examining it from all sides. He took a sip and eyed Jack, testing it for any tricks or slip ups, but it seemed to be the drink he ordered. 

“Hmph. Seems like ya finally got it.” The young man turned to leave and raised his iced drink in the air, saluting goodbye. “Two stars, frostbite, two stars. Bettah luck next toime.” 

“Jackass…” Jack grumbled under his breath when he heard the door close.

Jack had a terrible incident his first year of College. He fell into the frozen pond behind the school in the dead of winter. The story was, he got drunk and took on a dare involving staying underwater for three entire minutes. Ended him a spot in the hospital for an entire week with hypothermia and frostbitten fingers. Messed up his nerves so his fingers are numb to most temperatures now. Makes it tricky when he’s handling drinks at the Coffee Company, but he manages. 

Most people chalked it up to Jack being a dumb frat boy seeking attention, but no one ever really knew the truth. That day he had gone for a jog when he came upon a stray dog crying from the midst of the pond, half-way trapped in the ice. 

Jack couldn’t swim, but he risked his life and brought that dog home. She was a greyhound sweetheart named Abby, and she’s never left his side since. Jack was relieved she got along with his sister Mary as well as his mother. Just another member of his family to think of when times at the Coffee Shop got tough. They kept his energy up. 

TUESDAY 

The next day had been quiet. Plenty of people had come in the morning and stayed till the afternoon. His co-worker Jamie had helped him during the afternoon shift when lunch came around. Jamie did make most of the baked goods in the morning then left around 1:00, leaving Jack to the last of his double-shifts alone. They were seriously understaffed, he’d have to talk to Manny about that. 

Jack looked at the clock. The Guardian Coffee Co. closes at 5:00 pm every day. It was currently 4:55. He smiled to himself. If this was his first day on the job, he would have walked up to the window and flipped the open sign to closed by now. But he knew better now. 

Suddenly, a giant, burly man dressed in a large red coat bust through the door. Jack was frankly shocked it was still on its hinges.

Today he wore a black scarf wrapped under his long white beard. The man removed his sunglasses, revealing his bright blue eyes. His thick Russian accent came out burly and rough. “Jack! So good to see you!” 

The man stomped right up to the counter, almost shaking the entire building with his fierce entrance. 

“Hey Mr. North. How are you this evening?” 

“Exhausted, my friend! Toy shop is overwhelmed! Sales last year were high, we must aim higher in production numbers!” 

“Must be tough.” Jack was initially terrified of this man when he had first come into the shop weeks ago. He was desperate to end their conversation and close up shop as fast as he could, but the guy just wouldn’t stop talking! As time ticked on though, Jack soon became fond of the man and even looked forward to when he’d come in for a treat. Always last minute. 

“Well, what can I get for you tonight, North?” Jack asked with a smile. 

North immediately leaned down closely to the display case, his breath fogging up the glass. He poked the glass, his mitten pointing towards the baked good that caught his eye. “Chocolate chip! The saint of all cookies.” 

Jack smiled and reached down to snatch it for him. “Y’know, if you come earlier in the day, the cookies will taste fresher.” 

“Bah! ’Tis cookie, cookies are eternal. Like fruit cake!” 

“Not in America they ain’t.” Jack whispered with a chuckle. 

Jack bagged North’s cookie and set it on the counter. “Any hot drinks for tonight?” 

“Oh yes, yes! Mocha Cappuccino please.” North fumbled with his wallet to draw out cash. He always paid in old coins. Made Jack wonder if this man ever owned a credit card. 

Jack got right to work on North’s order. “Not sure this espresso will last you the night. Pretty early to be having one.” 

“Ha! Early? Nyet, nyet, Jack. ’Tis late.” 

Jack paused as he shook the milk to create the foam. He turned to glimpse at North and saw the bags under the man’s eyes. 

“You didn’t sleep a wink last night, did you?” 

North released a bellowing laugh. “Sleep is for the weak!” 

Jack shook his head with a smile and topped the cappuccino with milk foam. “If you’re not careful you might wind up passed out in a hospital bed.” 

“Bah, I have no time for Hospital. Holiday season is fast approaching. Overwhelming? Yes. But nothing the great Nicholas can’t handle! And don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, Jack.” 

“Huh?” Jack asked with confusion, setting down North’s cappuccino sprinkled with cinnamon on the counter. 

“I may not come in every day, but my toy shop is just around the corner, so I pass by much. I see you work hard. I know you support family. Ty khoroshiy chelovek.” 

Jack suddenly flushed at North’s observations. Most people didn’t think of him so highly let alone notice what he goes through every day. He quickly rang up North’s order, refusing to meet the man’s eye out of embarrassment. 

“Seeing you work hard, makes me work hard! And so, I make special gift for you! A surprise for Christmas!” 

Jack’s heart filled with warmth and he smiled sheepishly. “I don’t think it’s a surprise anymore if you tell me about it.” 

North paid for his order and snatched them up, giving Jack a wink. 

“Bah, who doesn’t peak at their Christmas presents early every now and then, hm?” 

The burly man took out his chocolate chip cookie and chowed down. He gave a satisfied grunt of delicious approval while getting cookie crumbs everywhere. Some even stuck to his beard. 

“Do svidaniya, Jack! Keep up good work!” 

“See ya, North.” Jack waved, watching him leave with a smile. 

The door slammed shut from the force of the man, causing a picture frame to become crooked, nearly falling off the wall. 

Jack sighed with amused relief and glanced at the clock. It was 5:11. He left the counter and flipped the open sign, officially closing up shop. 

Jack saw his reflection in the window and smiled. The sunset’s light angled into the shop windows just right, bathing the shop in a beautiful orange glow. This job was hard, but at times like this… something about it almost felt magical. 

WEDNESDAY 

“Jack, we’re out of milk!” Jamie whispered frantically from behind the counter. 

“Agh, it’s too crazy right now to go out and buy more! Just offer soy substitute.” 

Jack and Jamie were currently panicking in the Coffee shop. There was a small Winter parade in town, and they were absolutely flooded with people. The crowd was was looking at the parade from inside the shop windows. They were noisy, but nowhere near the amount of scream level going on outside.

Within a half hour, most of the people in the shop had what they ordered, but still stuck around to stay out of the cold. All the seats were full. Anyone who came in to order after them would have to take it to go.

“I’m gonna do it Jack,” Jamie said, placing down his apron and putting on his coat. “I’m going to get us milk.” 

Jack’s eyes widened. “No…” 

“I have to, Jack.” 

Jack shook his head. “No, Jamie- you can’t! Don’t do this! You have so much to live for!” 

“For everyone’s sake…” Jamie whispered, his fist over his heart; his eyes closed and head lowered in prayer. “And for yours.” 

“Jamie no, please! You’re my best friend!” 

“Goodbye, Jack.” 

“NOOOOOOOOOOo!” 

Jamie rushed out the door into the crowd of people and disappeared. 

Jack paused with his hand reached out towards his friend. The shock and fear on his face immediately dissipated and he burst out into hysterical laughter. Oh that guy was too much. This is why he and Jamie were best friends. 

Jack started cleaning the counter when he saw a young Indian woman struggle to make her way through the entrance door. She was carrying a young child despite appearing just a few years older than Jack. She adjusted the girl in her arms before making her way to the counter. As they approached, Jack got a closer look at them. They were really pretty people. 

The woman had dark brown hair with colorful feathers interwoven into a small braid that rested on her right shoulder. The smaller girl had the same feathers, but these were glued onto a clip pinned into her hair. The lady had hazel eyes while the smaller one had heterochromia; one hazel eye, and one blue eye. Jack had never seen anything like it. 

The young woman seemed to be gasping for breath. They must have really had to push to get through that crowd of people out front. At least these two had jackets; and the younger one had mittens on. They stayed back for a moment, assessing the menu. It was kinda funny, the older woman was squinting at the small lettering on the board, and the younger girl in her arms saw and tried to do the same. After some deliberation Jack couldn’t here, they finally approached the counter. 

“Well howdy,” Jack greeted. “What can I get for ya’ll?” 

The woman froze when Jack spoke, staring at him intently. Jack swallowed, unsure if he had somehow offended her. 

She stepped forward a little closer over the counter. Jack, having his personal space invaded, immediately took a step back. 

“Ah, I’m sorry ma’am, did I say something?” 

“Could you smile for me?” 

“Huh?” Jack was really confused. He heard some girls at work would be told by male customers to smile as some creepy form of harassment. Jack never thought the reverse was possible, let alone would he ever think of it happening to him. 

The woman didn’t seem malicious though as she pointed a pretty pink fingernail towards her own mouth. 

“Your teeth! Could you smile for me?” 

Jack wasn’t sure what to do, so he hesitantly did what she asked. 

The woman’s face lit up. “Wow!” 

She, and the girl both, seemed mesmerized by his smile. 

Jack kept averting his eyes. He had no idea what to do. 

“See, Fleece?” The woman addressed the little girl. “This man has such lovely teeth! Look how sparkly and straight they are! Yours will be just like his someday.” 

The little girl gave Jack a big smile. She had braces on. 

“Oh wow, well aren’t those the prettiest pearls I’ve ever seen, miss!” Jack said, encouraging her. 

The little girl giggled. “Theesf aren’t pearls. They’re teef! I hav brashez on. I have brashez to- to - to hold my teef. I gotta brush hard. But also soft, because- cuz mommy said I half tah. She said I can’t half candy from the parade because of my brashez.” 

“Oh yeah? Does your mommy help you brush your teeth?” Jack asked, looking at the lady, trying to ignore the awkward oversharing. 

The woman in question flushed bright red. “Oh heavens no! She’s my younger sister. My parents had her late. She’s often mistaken for mine though, since we look so much alike.” 

Jack laughed. “Seem to both like shiny teeth, too.” 

The lady smiled. “I own a Dentistry a few blocks from here. I’m surprised I haven’t seen you come by.” 

Jack couldn’t afford it. Manny was still looking into dental insurance for his employees, but it may take months before that comes to pass. But Jack wasn’t about to tell a complete stranger that information. “Maybe I’ll… come by sometime.” 

“With those pretty teeth, I’ll clean yours for free!” The lady replied. 

Jack smiled. “I’d appreciate that, miss…?” 

“Tiana.” 

“Thanks, Tiana. So! Do you guys know what you want to order?” 

“Oh gosh, yes-“ 

“Milkshake!” 

The little girl, “Fleece”, started chanting: “Milkshake! Milkshake! Milkshake!” 

Tiana gave her an unamused, stern look. “Too much sugar Flee, we’ve talked about this.” 

Fleece’s eyes filled with tears and she got angry. “MILKSHAKE! MILKSHAKE! MILKSHAKE!” 

Poor Tiana looked like she was getting a headache. “Fine, but as soon as we get home you are using mouthwash young lady!” 

“Should I ring up that cave in?” Jack asked with a confused smirk. 

Tiana sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes. It’s fine. Wearing braces is tough on her, she couldn’t have any candy from the parade, and she’s made it this far already without trying to pull them out, so I think she deserves at least this sweet treat.” 

“Alright,” Jack said nodding his head with a smile. “Anything for you?” 

“Oh, Chai tea, please.” 

“Those are cold drinks. You guys sure you want those in this weather?” 

Tiana nodded with a smile. “Yes, we’re sure.” 

“Alright, then.” Once Jack input their orders, he froze, realizing his mistake. “Oh no.” 

“What’s wrong?” Tiana asked with concern. 

His eyes shifted up, looking between the two girls. “We’re out of milk…” 

Fleece pouted, and her lip started to quiver. 

Jack felt pure panic rise up in his chest as Tiana flinched, ready for a scream. 

Just then, the front door burst open. Everyone in the shop turned to look who entered. There stood Jamie, Jack’s savior, holding four bags filled with milk jugs in his arms. “I’VE GOT THE MILK!” 

Jack fist pumped. “YEAH!” 

Jamie quickly ran back behind the counter and started shoving the milk in the fridge. 

Jack high-fives him. “Your timing couldn’t have been better, James.” 

Jack looked back at Tiana and Fleece with a smirk. Fleece seemed excited and Tiana was relieved. 

“One Chai and one Vanilla Milkshake, comin’ right up!” 

~~~

Tiana had set down Fleece once they got their drinks to go. Fleece held her milkshake topped with whipped cream with both hands, sucking on the straw vigorously. Tiana sipped her tea and gave Jack a nod. She turned to Fleece. 

“What do we say, Fleece?” 

The young girl whirled around and bounced on her toes. “Thank you thank you thank you!” 

Tiana held out her arm, trying to prevent Fleece from spilling her milkshake from her sugary excitement. She looked exhausted from having to babysit. Jack understood that feeling all too well. Mary was quite a handful when she was younger. He wondered if she and Fleece would become best friends if they ever met. 

Tiana looked to Jack and gave him a smile as she opened the entrance door. “Be sure to stop by The Hy Loo Dentistry sometime!” 

“I will!” Jack said, waving goodbye. 

Once the two girls left, Jack turned around, only to find Jamie staring at him. The brunette had a big smirk on his face, resting his elbow on the countertop; holding his head in his hand. He wiggled his eyebrows at Jack. 

“What?” Jack asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“She’s pretty. She your girlfriend?” Jamie teased. 

Jack rolled his eyes. “No, dingus. She’s a Dentist.” 

“Oh, is that a dealbreaker?” 

Jack took his cleaning cloth and smacked Jamie over the head with it, earning a laugh from him. “Knock it off. Why don’t you date her if you think she’s so dreamy?” 

Jamie flushed, sputtering out, “Psh, she’s not my type!” 

“Uh-huh,” Jack said, his turn to smirk. “And what exactly would you say is your type?” 

“T-That’s a question for my lawyer.” Jamie replied, quickly retreating into the kitchen, leaving Jack laughing at the counter. People were staring at him, thinking he might’ve lost his marbles. 

The people he met were truly wild. 

THURSDAY 

 Jack’s boss Manny had a friend. Mr. Sanderson. He was a short, tubby, middle aged man who was also mute. Unlike Manny however, he used sign language frequently, and had a lot to say. 

Coincidentally, Mr. Sanderson used to be Jack’s old sign language teacher. Which made things… all the more awkward when he came in, seldom as it was. 

“Ah…Mr. S-a-n-d-e-r-s-o-n,” Jack said aloud as he attempted to sign with his hands. 

“What - can- I - g- got? Get? For you- to-day?” 

Sanderson looked at him with an annoyed deadpan stare. Jack gulped, dreading what was to come. Sanderson proceeded to chew him out on not touching up on his sign language skills, especially since he’s working for someone who is mute. 

Jack held up his hands in surrender, wishing he was anywhere else but here. He liked Mr. Sanderson, he really did. The guy was a sweetheart, but also really really lethargic. Jack had fallen asleep one too many times in his class and got a few detentions over it. Despite the fact that Sanderson fell asleep in his OWN class several times! 

“Ah, okay- okay! Sorry. I’m - r-u-s-t-y.” Jack did his best to apologize sincerely. 

Sanderson gave him a look and shook his finger at him. Jack sighed with relief with Sanderson smiled and signed his order. 

What Jack didn’t expect was for Sanderson’s order to be so tall.

An everything bagel, almond croissant, cheese danish, blueberry muffin, pumpkin scone, bear claw, Romano, Iced Tea, and an Egg Nog special. 

Who orders three drinks for themselves?! But the man paid for all of it. Jack was in no position to judge.

Sanderson wiggled his fingers before grabbing the Egg Nog and swiftly downing about half the cup. He left a milk mustache on his face as he signed to Jack to tell Manny he said “hello”. Jack nodded and watched as Sanderson picked up his bag of goodies and his tray of drinks, happily leaving the establishment. 

Now that Jack though about it… Sanderson did seem to consume a lot for such a small man. One small body for man, one giant stomach for mankind. 

FRIDAY 

Jack’s left eye twitched. The oldest customer he had ever seen just walked in with his granddaughter. They were currently front of the line. A line of over a dozen people. 

The old man was dressed in a blue jacket and hat, had a long white beard, and wore circular glasses. His granddaughter looked to be in high school with long brown hair and a yellow coat with fur trim. 

The elderly man adjusted his glasses. Jack could barely see his mouth amongst his white beard. 

“What is a “Frappe”? What is in it?” 

The girl next to him sighed. “Grandpa, it’s like a root beer float- it comes with ice cream and espresso.” 

“Oh that’s too sweet.” 

The girl tried to point to the menu, but with that man’s poor vision, Jack wondered if that guy wasn’t legally blind. 

“Well, you can just get plain espresso.” 

“Katherine, that’s too bitter…” 

“There’s tea too. They have peach, black, herbal, honey citrus, green…” 

The girl ran down the list, reading it allowed for the old man. People in the back of the line tapped their foot and sighed impatiently. Jack did his best to contain his polite smile. 

“Oh green tea? I’ll have a green tea.” 

“Okay, but which one? Do you want the Jade Citrus Mint, Honey Citrus Mint, Matcha Latte, or Clouds & Mist?” 

The elderly man paused, seemingly trying to process the words before giving up. 

“Oh this is too hard. Can I just ask for a water? Can we go somewhere else?” 

The person standing behind them seemed to roll their eyes and sigh with frustration. 

The granddaughter seemed just as upset. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. “Grandpa, we’re already here, let’s just order something. I’ll order for you. Do you want a baked good?” 

“Do they have any oatmeal cookies?” The man asked after a pause. 

The girl checked the display case and shook her head. “No grandpa, they’re fresh out.” 

“Bah, forget it then. Find me something with a little oomf to it. Do you know what you want?” 

The girl stepped closer to the counter, dragging her grandpa with her by the arm. 

“Hi,” she said, mortified. “Could I get an Irish Coffee for my grandpa and a Honey Citrus tea for me, please?” 

Jack had never been more relieved to input a customer’s order. “Of course ma’am. Anything else?” 

The grandpa butt in before the girl could answer. “Well hang on now, what are they charging?” 

“Grandpa, its fine-“ 

Jack cleared his throat as he rung up their order. “Your order comes to $15 sir.” 

“$15?! Preposterous. You can’t charge us that much for drinks!” 

The man was old so his voice couldn’t raise that loud, and Jack was grateful for it. 

“Grandpa, it's because of the Irish Coffee I’m ordering you!” 

“Irish Coffee? Honey I said oomf, not pow!” 

“How was I supposed to know it's a pow?! You like Irish Coffee!” 

“Not this early in the wee morn, Kathy-“ 

Jack felt like he was having a stroke. He considered investing in a stress ball to squeeze under the desk after work. 

Several groans could be hurt from behind the duo in line; the other customers were getting angry. 

After another five minute deliberation, they finally settled. 

The girl sighed and took out the money for Jack to ring up. “We’ll take the Honey Citrus and Jade Mint teas please.” 

Jack smiled. “That’ll be $6 miss.”

The girl paid, and Jack fixed up their tea. The girl then helped walk her grandpa out of the shop as Jack released a sigh of relief. 

His relief was short lived. He heard someone clear their throat in front of him, and his eyes snapped open to find a line of twenty people waiting to be served. 

Jack smiled, feeling a sudden headache come on. Is this what it feels like to be dead inside? 

“Sorry for the wait. What can I get you, sir?” 

SATURDAY 

Saturday. Blessed Saturday. His only day off. 

“Jack! Jack! You’re back!” 

His little sister Mary ran up and latched herself onto his leg, nuzzling against his knee. 

He chuckled and picked her up, giving her a big hug. “I’ve been back since last night. I got home late though since I was hanging out with Jamie after work. You were asleep by the time I rocked up to the door!” 

Jack’s mother came into the room with breakfast. Fluffy pancakes, blueberries, and orange juice. “We’re glad you could spend your Saturdays with us.” 

Jack quickly set Mary down into her seat and rushed over. “Mom! What are you doing, you should be in bed!” 

His mother laughed. “Jack, you have to stand and serve people all day every week. Let this be the one day where someone does it for you.” 

That statement hit Jack right in the heart. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he gave his mother a big hug. “Thanks mom.” He whispered in her ear. 

Jack helped his mother into her chair, then sat down beside her. Mary was on his other side, putting a generous amount of whipped cream on her cakes. 

“Mary honey, that’s a little much.” Their mother scorned. 

Jack smirked and snatched up the whipped cream canister. “I’d say it’s not enough!” 

Jack sprayed the whipped cream double the amount Mary put on hers. 

“Jack-“ Jack’s mother facepalmed with frustration while Mary and Jack started laughing uncontrollably. 

Their dog Abby barked and yipped happily. She trotted over and licked some whipped spray off the table, making Mary giggle all the harder. 

Jack glanced at his mother, who couldn’t help but chuckle. She was looking better today. Moments like this reminded Jack how much his family meant to him. They were his entire world, and he would do anything for them. Even taking up an exhausting, low-income barista job.                                                                                        

SUNDAY 2 

Jack stared at the clock in confusion. 8:25 am. The scary tall British customer was late. Way late.That man always came on Sundays at exactly 7:00 am on the dot. In hindsight, it was weird of Jack to make that assumption, since he hadn’t been working at the Café for that long, but it was enough of a difference to be noticeable. 

Jack was tending to three other customers in line, when he heard the door chime. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the man he had been wondering about. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary in his appearance. Same old black coat, same grey scarf, same slicked back hair, same imposing height. He even had his laptop briefcase with him. The man made his way over to the back of the line and waited patiently for his turn. 

Jack made swift work getting orders fixed up and served out. He was scared the man would make up a fuss if things took too long. He had dealt with his fair share of rude customers before, and despite the Brit being one of his regulars, the man was by far the most mysterious. Seeing as the man came in late already unsettled Jack’s nerves. He didn’t want to be on the bad end of his ire. 

Jack wiped down his stained apron, sweating nervously. He went back over to the counter and stood up straighter; his shoulders square. “H-hi there sir! What may I get for ya?” 

The man’s hazel-brown eyes bore into him. Jack gulped, unnerved. 

Jack waited another few seconds before piping up. “W-will it be your usual? B-black coffee?” 

The man just stared. 

Jack swallowed thickly. “W-we have other… things…” Jack’s voice died in his throat. He looked away for a second before his eyes returned to the man. 

The man slowly blinked. Slowly, his eyes shifted down to the lower counter. Jack followed the man’s gaze. He nearly jolted when he saw a pair of giant, bright green eyes staring up at him from below. 

There was a little girl with long black hair peeking up at him from the counter. Her nose barely reached above it.

Jack blinked, and looked back up at the man. The man just stared down at the girl in front of him. Jack looked back and forth between the two of them with confusion. Jack realized this girl must have been in line in front of the man, and Jack couldn’t see her since she was too short. 

He quickly turned his attention to the girl and gave her the biggest smile he could. “Oh! ‘Scuze me miss, I didn’t see you there! What would you like?” 

The girl’s eyes went wide, and she did the unthinkable. She turned and quickly hid behind the tall man. The black-haired man merely glanced down at her. The girl peered behind his legs, staring at Jack. 

“Would you like anything, Emily?” 

Jack nearly dropped his jaw. He had never heard the man say anything other than “Coffee” and “Black” before. 

Wait… ‘Emily’? 

The girl blushed and went right back to hiding her face behind the man’s leg. 

She had impossibly long black hair, and a bright green frilly dress. She was much more colorful than the man she clung to, but the features in their faces were undeniable. 

It was then Jack realized the spooky cryptid that came in to torment him every Sunday… was, in fact, a dad.  

The tall man sighed and looked down at his daughter, his eyes becoming soft. 

“Come now, Emily. Surely you must want something.” 

The girl peered around her dad’s leg and stared at Jack once more, her face scrunched with nervousness. She reminded Jack of his sister when she was younger. 

Jack suddenly put on his biggest smile. He placed his elbows on the counter and leaned down to address her. “Might I say we have mighty-fine blueberry muffins if I do say so myself.” 

The girl blinked and looked up at her dad, searching for approval. The man shrugged and nodded to her. Emily then looked back at Jack, and nodded herself. Jack had never seen something so adorable. 

“Well then!” Jack said, as he rung up their order. “One blueberry muffin and a black coffee, I presume? Will that be all?” 

The man nodded, and got out his wallet; reaching in for his card. 

Emily looked panicked all of a sudden, her head quickly looking back and forth between the two of them. She tugged on her dad’s pant leg- 

“Wait!” 

The man paused and looked down at her. The girl nervously looked to Jack with big, shiny eyes. She finally spoke up. 

“D-do you… have hot chocolate?” 

Jack laughed, light-hearted. “Of course!” 

~~~

Jacked watched from the counter as the man took his daughter Emily to a nearby table to sit down. The man took out his laptop and started typing away; only pausing to sip at his coffee. The girl was clutching her hot chocolate and blowing on it gently. It was still too hot to drink, so she reached into the paper bag on the table, pulling out her muffin. Once she bit into it, a huge smile spread across her face. She started to swing her legs from her chair with glee. To Jack’s surprise, the man had paused in the midst of sipping his coffee to glance at her. A small smile formed at the man’s lips, before setting down his coffee and getting back to work. 

The smile remained on his face for the remainder of the hour. When Emily had finished her muffin and hot chocolate, her dad had given her a piece of paper and a pencil to draw on. Jack knew he shouldn’t have been staring, let alone with a dopey smile on his face, but he couldn’t help it. 

When it was time for them to leave, the man checked his watch and packed up his laptop. He took a final sip of his coffee and gestured towards his daughter. “Come, Emily. It’s time to go.” 

“Okay Daddy!” The girl hopped off her chair with her paper bag and cup in hand. She followed her dad towards the dish return and garbage area. She looked between the disposal options, and figured out that her paper bag went into recycling. She looked at her dad and he nodded in approval. She offered her cup to him and he took it for her and placed it next to his on the dish return rack. 

The two of them held hands as they walked towards the door. Before they left, little Emily turned around and looked at Jack with a big smile and waved at him enthusiastically. “Bye bye!” 

Jack laughed and waved back at her. “Bye bye!” He mimicked. Jack blinked in surprise when her dad looked to him and smiled faintly, nodding his head in farewell. 

With that, the two turned and left the Café. 

Jack wiped down the counter, still trying to process what had happened. More customers were starting to flood in for the morning shift, and Jack, despite being distracted, still managed to get everyone’s orders taken care of. 

And now that Jack really thought about it… 

…He couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather work. 

~~~

End