Chapter 14

We went down to Roma's, one of those stucco-on-stucco, high-ceilinged, Euro-style coffee joints, across the street fro the Hall. I prefer Peet's but Roma's is closer.

I ordered a tea, and Gebriel came back with some fancy mocha latte and slice of fresh pumpkin bread that he put in front of me.

"You ever wonder how these places make any money?" He asked.

"There's one on every corner. They all serve the same thing, and the average sale's gotta be, what... two dollars and thirty-five cents?"

This isn't a date, Gebriel," I snapped." Let's go through the list."

"Maybe closer to three or three-fifty. Lucky if the places gross four hundred,"

"Gebriel, please," I said, losing patience.

He pushed the envelope towards me.