Ten

The café had at least five customers, including Lenna and me, who were drinking hot beverages to keep warm from the chilly night. Across our table, a group of high school students was chattering loudly, lightening up our tension.

Lenna remained silent after I gave her a hot chocolate drink though she kept sipping every few seconds while holding the warm glass with both hands. I didn’t want to engage her in a conversation until she was ready, so I kept silent.

After a few moments, she gently started telling me about Stephen.

Stephen courted her back when they were in high school, and everyone had expected them to date even before Stephen had any interest in her. They became sweethearts during her junior year and Stephen’s senior year. But like any other egotistical, popular teen in high school, Stephen wasn’t wholly committed to their relationship. He openly flirted with other girls, which Lenna blindly ignored.

“When I think about it, I wanted to slap myself for being so tolerant. I was afraid to be an outcast if I broke up with him. Everyone knew he was a man who didn’t get dumped by girls like me. Things are always that way when you are born into a privileged family.” The bitter tone of her voice was drowned by the teenagers who were laughing across from us. “But it wasn’t all fun and games during high school. Even then, you get a glimpse of how the real world works though I didn’t realize there was an option to get away and leave. Then I had Gavin. I had no regrets when I had him in my life. Because of him, I got something to fight and live for another day.”

After baring her soul, she became silent again, and I took it as my cue to talk.

“Even though you’re pressured to be in a relationship with him, everything was a conscious decision. So don’t loathe yourself for choosing to believe and love someone even if he didn’t live up to your expectations.”

Since we entered the car, her weary almond eyes locked with mine for the first time. She gave me a strained smile before putting her beverage down.

“You know, for a guy, you’re very attentive.”

“And for someone who looks tough, you’re rather sentimental,” I countered in humor.

She coughed a laugh, her weary eyes brightening up. Mirroring her expression, I chuckled and smiled back, then gave her a playful wink. Lenna shook her head in amusement as she grabbed her glass again and drank.

After she was done, she decided to head home. The drive to her place was short as she lived at an apartment complex near Central Avenue. I parked the car in the third unit per her instruction. Studying the exterior design of the compound, I noticed that they were all two-story apartments painted in yellow. There were approximately twenty units fenced within the vicinity, and it was difficult to distinguish who lived where if it were not for the number engraved by the door.

“This is me,” she announced.

“Which one is your place?” I asked out of interest.

“That door across from us.” She pointed at the door opposite the truck.

“So, who is taking care of Gavin while you were at work?”

“Gabe is retired, so he minds Gavin for me.”

“But Gabe and Gavin’s father are related, right?” The question was shifting slightly toward something personal. I had been itching to ask this particular question since I found out about this fact.

“Yes. Gabe is Stephen’s uncle, his father’s brother,” she replied without flinching, seemingly unaffected by the question.

“Doesn’t that seem rather…” I trailed off once I noticed my questions had turned too delicate.

I watched the edge of her lips curve into a smile. “Don’t worry about asking. That isn’t really new to me since I had Gavin. Though no one ever asked the question directly. Everyone in town had expected that he would be part of our lives.” She paused for a moment, glancing at her apartment. “Stephen was arrested in high school for underage alcohol consumption, and it created a wedge between him and his father. That was when Gabe took him in. It’s why he listens to what he says. With him there, things aren’t as bad as it seems.”

“That’s really kind of him. But doesn’t he have any family of his own?”

She looked at me, her smile faltering. “Gabe was married, but they didn’t have a child. His wife used to be my English teacher in high school. About a year after I graduated, she had gotten ill….” Lenna’s voice sounded pained while she trailed off.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, unsure to who I should apologize.

“He had Stephen, so he treats Gavin like his own grandson,” Lenna stated lightly, looking back at me with a genuine smile.

“Is this okay for you to share such private information about Gabe?” I asked, trying to turn back the topic toward a lighter tone.

“Gabe doesn’t really mind about people knowing his past. Everyone in town knows who he is, given his older brother runs this place.”

“When you say that, do you mean Stephen’s father is—”

“The mayor,” she interjected before I finished. “It’s his second term in office,” she added.

“I see.”

“I think I need to head inside. It’s almost Gavin’s bedtime, and he won’t sleep unless I’m there to tuck him in.”

I watched her get out of the car. After closing the door, she gave one last brief wave, then walked quickly toward her apartment. After she knocked twice, I watched Gabe open the door and greet her. They had a quick exchange before Gabe looked up in my direction. It was difficult to read his facial expression from the lack of light on Lenna’s front door, but I saw him hold up his hand and give me a hesitant wave, recognizing my presence. At the same time, Lenna glanced in my direction again, mirroring Gabe’s action.

Confident that she was safe, I backed up the driveway. The drive back was silent, yet my mind was the opposite.

~

The next day, I hadn’t noticed that I was in a trance at work until Benji knocked some sense into me.

“What happened to you?” Benji asked after slapping my back with a bit of force.

“What?” I peered at him in both surprise and annoyance.

“Since you’ve entered the store, you looked like you’ve been high on something.”

“I’m sorry. My mind was elsewhere….” I trailed off, turning away from him in embarrassment.

“Let me guess. It’s a woman,” he remarked bluntly.

I snorted in mock disbelief. “You make me sound like some teenager experiencing their first love.”

“From how you’ve just zoned out, you look like a puppy in love.” The old man teased me with an amused grin.

“Please. In thirty years, I’ve never once been told I looked like a crazed teenager in love.”

“Even at thirty, son, you can still experience your first love,” he insisted, not willing to back down on his point.

I opened my mouth to give another shameless excuse but closed it again, allowing his words to sink in. Once he noticed my silence, he patted my arm once before heading toward the back room with a triumphant grin.

I went back to work and spent the whole day sorting out the new products and placing them on the shelves. Once afternoon rolled in, I started packing up the empty boxes. I was so immersed in what I was doing that I hadn’t noticed the new customer who came into the store until I heard my name.

“Kyle!” Gabe walked up toward me.

I turned to my left and found him carrying Gavin, who looked a bit messy from the mud stains on the sole of his shoes and his shorts.

“Hey!” I greeted back after reeling in surprise.

Gavin held up a hand right in my face. For a moment, I thought he wanted to slap me until he said, “High-five!”

I slapped my palm with his tiny hand, making him grin in accomplishment.

“How’s working with Benji? I only hear how he treated you well, not how he actually treated you,” Gabe asked, turning my attention back toward him.

I tried to hold back a smile at his remark. “Benji is really nice, jokes aside.”

“Glad to hear that he wasn’t sugarcoating a thing.” Gabe nodded, liking my response.

“Mr. Kyle! Are you going with us next time to play?” Gavin interjected. His high-pitched voice was giddy with excitement.

“Sure. If your mother agrees to it,” I replied with a smile.

He beamed in delight before his expression turned to worry. “I think Dad doesn’t want it, though, even if Mom agreed,” he mumbled in disappointment, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration.

His statement silenced Gabe and me. It made me curious how much he understood his mother and father’s relationship.

Gabe repositioned Gavin in his arm, turning his attention toward the little boy. “Gavin, your mother’s opinion counts more than your father’s. Whether your father is okay with it or not, her opinion best suits what is right for you,” Gabe stated softly.

The little boy didn’t look away from his gaze and bobbed his head, understanding his point. “Okay.” His voice was almost a whisper.

After that, he wrapped his arms around Gabe’s neck and rested his head on his shoulder, and Gabe soothingly rubbed his small back.

“How about we get some ice cream for dessert tonight?” Gabe asked, turning in the direction of the fridges.

Gavin leaned away and looked at him with a triumphant smile, his foul mood gone. “Yehey! Ice cream!”

I watched as they grabbed a bucket of vanilla-flavored ice cream and a few bags of chips before checking out at the counter. I followed them and helped place their groceries in a bag while Brent handled the register.

“What time do you get off work, Kyle?” Gabe asked after taking his change from Brent.

“I stick around until the store closes,” I replied, placing the last item in the brown bag.

“Oh, good.” He nodded in thought. “Thank you for what you did for Lenna last night. I heard what happened after you dropped her off.”

“It was nothing.” I brushed it off. “Do you need help with these?” I asked, changing the topic as I gestured at the two bags of groceries. From how he carried Gavin, he couldn’t carry any of it.

“Oh, sure. The truck is just outside.”

With a quick wave toward Brent, Gabe turned toward the door while I picked up their groceries and carried them to the silver truck outside. Gabe was already seating Gavin at his booster seat in the back when I reached the truck, and he motioned for me to place the groceries at the foot of Gavin’s seat. Once he finished buckling Gavin’s belt, he joined me, lingering beside me until he had my full attention.

“Kyle, I know this is asking too much on my part, but I want you to hear me out. Gavin and Lenna are as much my family as Stephen is like my own son. It isn’t easy to choose which one to protect, but I know my priority will always be Gavin. Yet, I want you to understand that Stephen has a good side to him. He just lost his way somehow.”

His words were sympathetic, and from the look in his eyes, he blamed himself for what Stephen had become. But after hearing from Lenna about his relationship with Gabe, I have nothing but respect for the man. It wasn’t his responsibility, yet he treated him like his own.

“I understand, Gabe. But, if he does lift his hand and hit her, I won’t hold back.”

“I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did.” He nodded in agreement. “Oh! One last thing, would I be asking too much from you to drive Lenna home tonight as well? Archie is out of town for a few days, so he wouldn’t be there to look out for her.”

“Sure. It’s not a bother.”

“And if you have nothing to do tonight, why not have dinner with us after you drop her off?” he offered.

“I don’t want to impose again…” I hesitated, but the look Gabe was giving me made me change my mind quickly. “Oh, sure. If it is okay with Lenna.”

“She wouldn’t mind. I will give her a call that you’d be taking her home and having dinner with us.” He smiled and patted my arm in a friendly gesture. “I will see you then.”

In response, I only nodded and took a step back as he entered the driver’s seat. I stayed by the pavement and watched the truck back away toward the main street while Gavin peered over the window and enthusiastically waved at me as they drove off. I held up my hand and waved back. Once the car disappeared in the distance, I headed back inside to find Benji by the counter with Brent. The suggestive smile on the old man’s face had me stopping in my tracks.

“Don’t say it,” I commanded firmly.

“Say what?” Benji exclaimed, looking innocent.

I sighed in defeat and headed toward the back of the store, where a few unpacked store goods needed my attention. “I will be here if you need me.”

~

At precisely seven, Benji had kicked me out of the store. He looked amused, and I took it as a hint that he knew I had plans tonight. However, when he finally voiced it out, it confirmed my suspicion.

“Send my regards to Gabe and Lenna for me. Tell Gabe he owes me a game of poker,” Benji called out as I entered the store after putting my work apron at the back.

“What makes you think I will be seeing them tonight?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face.

“Son, you can’t hide that smile and the excited glint in your eyes. As I said, you’re a man in love. You’ll be wearing your heart on your sleeve without even realizing it,” he pointed out jokingly.

I pursed my lips and held back the urge to respond as I went out of the store.

Once I sat inside my truck, I contemplated Benji’s words. Then I tilted the overhead mirror, checking my facial expressions. My dark brown hair was jostled up sloppily like I had been working for almost nine hours today without pay, which was a fact. But, though my cheeks looked a bit flushed, the look in my eyes wasn’t screaming happy or in love. Instead, it was the same dead look I had before living in this small town.

With a disgruntled sigh, I rubbed my face in annoyance and rearranged the mirror to give me a better view behind my truck. Afterward, I hurriedly turned on the ignition and backed up.

On my way to the bakeshop, my phone placed in the front of my pocket suddenly rang. I left it ringing until I stopped at a red light. As I reached for it, it stopped ringing, so I checked the caller ID on my screen. It was Luke. I was about to hit redial when the screen flashed as another call came in. Before answering it, I glanced up and checked the traffic light, which was still red. So, I hurriedly clicked the answer button.

“Hey! I’m driving. Can I call you back later?” I asked before he got to greet me.

“Oh! I’m sorry for calling… Wait. Are you out of the house at this time of the night? Where have you been, or are you going somewhere?”

“I just got out of work and heading back,” I replied vaguely, not yet certain if I wanted to share the information about Lenna with him.

“Work? Wait. What?” His voice raised in disbelief. “I haven’t called you for a few days, and this is what I hear? What the hell happened to you?”

I was about to respond to his question when the traffic light turned green.

“I can’t talk now, Luke. I will call you when I get home for an update.” I promised before ending the call with a quick goodbye.

I was only a few minutes away from the bakeshop, and when I arrived, Lenna got out of the store just as I parked the car in front of it. She looked up at me, and I couldn’t help but admire how undeniably beautiful she looked with her neatly tied hair. She’d traded her uniform for a casual shirt. With such thoughts racing in my head, there was no going back as my heart started to beat for her.