Chapter One.

“Mornin’ John!” I greeted as I walked into the shelter.

“Morning!”

“Mornin’ Mrs. Lobowitz!”

“Hey sweetie! You better hightail it, Gretel has something special for you.”

“Thanks, see you later.”

I began to jog down the hall and into the eating area. I pushed open the double doors that led to the kitchen, calling for my favorite chef.

“Back here!”

“Hey Gretel, Mrs. Lobowitz said you had a surprise for me?”

Gretel looked around and dug into her pockets. I saw a wad of money unfold in her hands. I gasped.

“Wh--”

“Shh! Here, take it. Indulge in real food other than here and save the rest. Got it?”

“Gretel, I can’t take this!” I whispered.

“Not under negotiation, go do what I told you.”

I threw my arms around her, she held back tightly. When I pulled away, she was wiping her eyes. I almost choked up.

“Thank you,” I said.

“You’re welcome, now go on.”

I turned and headed out the door. I needed to find somewhere private. When I got there, I counted the money. 500 dollars. Gretel gave me 500 dollars.

“I’m not gonna cry,” I said as I wiped away my tears.

Gretel was the first person I met after leaving the Sanchez’s. She was a first generation Dutch-American, 55, and by far one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. She always looked out for me and had my back. She was the only person who knew my real name. I trusted her. And from her sweet gesture, I know why.

I walked down the sidewalk, thinking of how I’d pay Gretel back, when I caught the glimpse of a café. I’m clean, I can go in. The entire place was lit by small lamps on each table. The air filled with quiet chatter, the smell of food, and the sounds of a live band playing.

“Wow…,” I whispered.

I looked around, and then walked over to the register where the food was located. I had my eyes on a piece of cake and a strawberry chai frappucino, topped with whipped cream and a bit of ice left. As I was about to order, a tall, white guy came and stepped in front of me. What the hell?

“Um, excuse me, sir,” I said.

He whipped around and looked at me.

“Yes?” he answered.

“I was here first, you cut in front of me,” I said politely.

“I didn’t see you,” he responded.

“Doesn’t mean I wasn’t here,” I snapped.

I couldn’t see him very well due to the lighting, but he had on black-rimmed glasses, a gray beanie and was wearing a black pea-coat over his shirt and black pants. Hmph. Some rude, rich guy.

“Well, I didn’t see you.”

“Look, just go ahead.” I spun on my heels and began to walk away. “Asshole.”

“I’m sorry?”

I quickly spun back around on my heels.

“I called you an asshole,” I answered.

“Look lady, I said I didn’t see you. There’s no need to name call.”

“Look man, I told you I was there. I expect that from someone like you, so whatever.”

I rolled my eyes and headed out the door. I was now in a bad mood AND without cake and a frap because of this jerk. I’ll find somewhere el—

“Someone like me? Lady, you know nothing about me!”

He threw himself in front of me and his face came more clearly into view. He had eyes that looked baby blue, and the hair specks of a dirty blonde showed from where the beanie didn’t cover. He looked quite good, really good, but I’m too angry to care.

“What’s to know?! You walk in with your pea coat and expensive glasses, and you cut right in front of me like I don’t exist!”

“For the last time, I didn’t see you! Honest to God! That doesn’t give you the right to make untrue assumptions about me.”

“It gives me every right since you cut me in line!”

He sighed heavily and took off his beanie, showing all the light and dark blondes of his hair as the sun rays beamed on it.

“Fine, I’ll buy you whatever you want in there, okay? I’m sorry.”

I was ready to retaliate, but I saw the genuine look of ‘sorry’ on his face.

“Fine.”

I followed him back inside and ordered. While he paid, I stood, bobbing from left to right. Trying to calm myself. I saw a bag and frap held in front of my face. I took them.

“Thank you,” I said curtly as I started to walk.

“Hey.”

I stopped.

“Are you too good to at least stay and join me for breakfast?” he asked.

“Uh, I don’t think so.”

“It’s the least you can do, since I did buy you breakfast.”

“If you’re gonna throw that in my face…”

“I’m only joking. Geez. Please join me.”

He smiled and a shock struck the core of my stomach. I pulled out the chair at his table and sat down across from him. He was right. It WAS nice of him to offer AND buy me breakfast. Especially after I said those things about him. Which I SO meant because I was irritated.

I kept my eyes wandering around the room and once I felt that his eyes were also elsewhere, I studied him. I watched how he handled his food. Very polite. Napkin over his lap, neat eating, closed mouth while chewing. Very nice etiquette.

“I honestly did not see you, it’s a bit dark in here. But I do apologize,” I said.

“Thank you, I accept your apology. And I’m sorry for what I said to you. I was angry and…”

“It’s cool, thank you. So I haven’t seen you in here before. Are you new in town?” he asked.

“No, not really, I’ve been here for awhile. I just never came in here before.”

“Ah, had to be something. I don’t really argue with the regulars.”

“I had to defend myself, but as I remember, you kept egging me on.”

“I didn’t egg, I sort of twitched. You hit a nerve with that “someone like you” line.”

I didn’t know what to say. What was I supposed to say? I opened the plastic container with my cake and took a bite.

“Mmm, oh God that’s good.”

I heard a small chuckle and looked up. Did I say that out loud? From the looks of his smile, I’m guessing I did. Of all the embarrassing things to do, I showed how gluttonous I was. I looked up again to study him, but found, instead, that he was studying me.

“What..?” I asked.

“You….um, you have really nice brown eyes,” he replied.

“Thank you, I didn’t know it was easy to see in here.”

“It’s not….I noticed when we were outside.”

My eyes shot down to my beverage. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. He noticed when we were outside? Weren’t we arguing then?

“Um, I’d better be going. Thanks for the breakfast…”

“Justin.”

“Justin.”

“And you are?” he asked.

“Varrett. Like Barrett, just with a V.”

I told him my real name? I told him my real name.

“Varrett. Maybe I’ll see you again?”

I stood up and grabbed my things, wanting to disappear before he asked me about anything else.

“Maybe.”