Pick Me Up

Adrian gave Opal ten minutes to clear out, then grabbed his jacket and left the apartment. Four offerings down, two to go, with the worst one behind him. His next task was only a few blocks away.

He shoved his hands in his pockets to ward against the cold night as he made his way down the sidewalk. In his head Adrian was already back home, mentally going over preparations for the millionth time. There was always a way for things to go wrong. Would the chalk adhere to the floor properly? Did it matter that the candles were made differently than when the book had been written? Would it be a problem that some of his offerings were in unconventional forms? He couldn’t know. He’d spent as much time going over details with Christine as he could without arousing suspicion. Thankfully she seemed to think that his interest was as academic as hers, but to keep it that way he couldn’t afford to ask any questions that seemed too practical. He had to work out on his own which parts needed to be as exact as a chemical reaction and which were only symbolic.

Adrian turned off the street and into a quaint little coffee shop. A bell rang as he opened the door to be greeted by warm air and the smell of espresso. A few other customers sat at tables crammed into the small shop, but it was late enough that there was no line so he walked right up to the counter.

“Adrian!” smiled the barista, a short Asian girl a couple of years his junior. “You’re late. Thought you wouldn’t make it. Long shift?”

Most nights he would grab a coffee after he got off. It was part of his routine. Eventually the girl, Ivy was her name, had started to recognize him and over time the two had built up a rapport. “Nah,” he answered. “I had some stuff to take care of at home first.”

Ivy pretended like she’d just heard a secret. You must have had coffee at home. Surely you didn’t come in just to see me?”

“I’m just shit at making coffee,” he laughed. “It tastes better when you do it for me.”

“Costs more though,” she said over her shoulder as she went about making his usual order. He didn’t need to ask anymore.

“You know you’re right. Thanks. Now I can save that money and buy a house.”

“You’re welcome. Invite me to the housewarming.”

“Oh, add something extra on for me today.”

“What do you want?”

“Vanilla bean creamspresso. With chocolate drizzle.”

“You sure?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Sounds like a chick drink.” It was, in fact, her favorite drink.

“Good thing a chick’s going to be drinking it,” he shot back with a smile.

“Coming right up then,” she said cheerily. Ivy took a quick break from making the drinks to ring him up, then Adrian moved over to wait at the pickup counter. When she was done Ivy joined him. “One medium hazlenut dark roast,” she said, sliding his drink over, “and one vanilla bean creamspresso with chocolate drizzle and extra whip.” She finished by taking a big sip from the straw.

“I don’t remember asking for extra whip,” Adrian teased.

“Shit. I messed the order up. Don’t tell my manager.”

Adrian mimed zipping his lips shut, then took a sip of his own drink. Ivy leaned against the counter opposite him. She was a cute girl, slight of build but full of energy. She kept her hair cut short. It’s dark color complimented her soft, blue eyes and light skin. Her ears sported several different piercings. She’d once told him it was a way to show off some individuality despite the uniform. She had used to play around with bright mascara, but at some point her boss had asked her stop.

“So how’s class going?” Adrian asked. Ivy was a senior at Marlinth University, the same college where Christine was working on her PhD. Adrian had never seen Ivy around though, since she was a communications major and their classes were on the other side of the campus from the anthropology building.

“Pretty well,” she told him. “I just started on a big group project. We have to design a PR campaign for this imaginary company. Focus on brand awareness, positive associations, that sort of thing.”

She seemed excited. “Group projects are good?” he asked, doubtful.

“Yeah, I like my partners.”

Adrian made a face. He hadn’t exactly loved group projects back in high school, but then his high school hadn’t been much like Marlinth University.

Ivy playfully punched him in the arm, jumping up a little to reach over the counter. “Not all of us are recluses like you.”

“I get out,” he said, feigning indignation. “I’m out right now.”

“Yeah, your social life is on fire,” she said in an exaggerated tone.

“What about yours then miss social butterfly. Any hot dates?”

“Duh. I’m on one right now.” Ivy stuck her tongue out at him. “But not really, no. I’m keeping it loose, you know?”

“Sure,” Aidrian said. “Loose.” He widened his eyes and pretended to take a sip of his drink to avoid saying what he was thinking. Adrian had to admit that when he’d first started talking to Ivy he’d thought she might have been interested in him. Eventually he realized this was just how she was. He wasn’t the only regular she was on a first name basis with.

Ivy narrowed her gaze. “I could get a ate if I wanted one. Any guy would be lucky to have me.”

“No arguments here.”

“Damn right,” she said, glaring playfully.

The two fell into companionable silence for a moment before moving on to other topics. Eventually another customer came in and Ivy had to move away to take his order. Adrian grabbed her mostly empty cup, held it up, and gave it a shake. A quick nod from Ivy told him she was done and Adrian turned around to throw it away. As he did he surreptitiously pocketed the straw, then turned to leave.

“Bye Adrian!” Ivy called out, interrupting the customer she had been serving. He did not look pleased, but Ivy didn’t seem to notice. Adrian waved goodbye back, then made his way home.