25 Ch. 25 In hiding

Isaac snapped back into reality after the flash back. He had a fondness for the memory now, for they were his best and only friends now. Well, excluding Spencer, whom he was still unsure of. He was the owner of this cafe now, after his mom died when he graduated high school. His dad had never been in his life but he was told he was an alcoholic lumberjack that moved towns often. That's where he got the ginger genes, but his eyes, they were his mothers. Looking in mirrors he was reminded of her and he loved his eyes. The only things left to him by his mother, the cafe and his eyes.

Francis jangled his keys in Josh's face playfully. Josh reached to grab them but Francis was too quick for him. They shared a laugh before Francis ushered Isaac out the back door. Isaac got in the small white car with Francis. Francis was quiet as he started the car and started the drive to his shared apartment with Josh. Francis had always been the quiet type so it shocked Isaac when he spoke up.

"He misses you, you know. He's so busy with his three jobs lately... I'm worried about him. I like it when you look after him while I'm at my second job, but I know you're busy too." Isaac looked at Francis sideways. Francis was always a worrier of him and Josh, like a real father. He had raised himself and Josh when they were young. Their parents had died when they were young and they had lived with their grandparents, but Isaac's mom had really taken them in until her death. Isaac had increased their pay to the maximum he could afford, but it was difficult.

Lately he had been swamped with work. He was a freelance programmer, because he didn't want to work in an office. Working multiple jobs he was used to but right now he had more offers than he ever had. In order to pay the cafe bills and payroll and mom's hospital debt it took all he made. He had been working hard all his life, but lately he was taking extra jobs and trying to save for his later life. It took all his time to do so, he had been so busy he forgot to do his daily check-in's on the cafe.

"Sorry Franie, it's been tough at work lately. I'm doing ten jobs right now. I'll stop by as much as I can." Francis glanced at Isaac with a sour expression.

"Ten huh? You should really just go full time at an office. You could make so much more with you're brain Ice. You know we're doing fine. We're not poor Isaac, especially with you're payroll and tips, my second job and Josh's other part time hobbies. He loves the dog walking he really does. I don't get how he likes dogs, but whatever. Please don't worry about us Isaac."

Isaac quieted at his words. He forgot about their jobs. They were both barista's at his shop full time with part time hobby jobs. Isaac looked out the window thinking. Josh had a full degree in culinary arts and a dream to start his own bakery beside Isaac's cafe. Francis had never said what he wanted, but both Isaac and Josh knew he wanted to go into higher into the business industry. Josh had been taking small part time jobs like being a bouncer at a small club nearby the cafe, and dog walking on weekends to save up for his bakery. Francis had been working nights at an accounting firm lately starting his way in. Isaac knew some day that they'd have to move on from the cafe, but he had no replacements he trusted. Isaac smiled slightly as he thought of something.

"Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream, make him the best barista I've ever seen!" Francis and Isaac burst into laughter at Isaac's joke. The tension filling the car as they had been thinking of their money issues dissipated.