Things start to come into focus.

I got to the cafe before Veronica so I decided to order something to drink while I waited. I approached the barista warily, wondering if she was gonna start acting strange too.

Sure enough, after I asked for an au lait, two strange things happened. First, the barista got an odd look on her face. Before she could reply, the woman behind me spoke up.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I ordered that. I'd love a black cup of coffee instead."

The barista was puzzled. "You didn't order that. I did. And on second thought, I don't want it."

I thought I was losing my mind. "What about me?" I demanded. "Seriously, what the fuck?"

They both immediately blushed and started apologizing at the same time.

"You know what? Fuck this, I'm just gonna go sit and wait for my friend."

The barista looked at her watch. "Yeah, maybe I'll take my break early. Sometimes my friends pop in around this time of day."

The woman behind me shrugged as I stormed away and found a seat in the corner.

Soon enough I heard the chime of the door opening and looked up to see Veronica stroll in. She smiled and walked over to me.

"Jason! Your didn't have to wait for me to order!" I stood and hugged her.

My relief was instantaneous. "Oh thank God, Veronica. Everybody's been acting really weird today. It's such a relief to be treated normally."

She frowned. "I mean, I guess people have been acting weird. Maybe because I'm trying a new foundation? I don't know."

Shit, so much for normal treatment. "Veronica, why are you acting like you said that? I said it, not you!"

To my surprise, she laughed. "Ok, technically you produced the sounds, but only because I made you. I don't even know why I'm responding to my own questions." She paused thoughtfully. "I guess I'm kinda working stuff out in my head. Come on, let's get some drinks."

"Uh, that's turning out to be harder than I thought."

"Yeah, they're pretty busy right now. I guess we can go get some in a minute." She sat down and smiled again. "Now, what's the problem? Your texts made it seem urgent."

I cleared my throat nervously. "Well, uh, I think people are acting like whatever I say, they said."

"Well, no they aren't. I don't know why I said that." She took her glasses off and laid them on the counter. "I'm not feeling myself today for some reason."

"That's what I'm talking about! Everytime I say something everyone else acts like they said it!"

"That's strange," she said. "But I don't recall that at all."

I was getting frustrated. "No, me! I'm saying these things! What is going on?"

Once again she paused. "I... uh, I kind of have a headache. I should go get some drinks. What do you want?"

I shrugged, too distracted thinking about my problem. A few minutes later Veronica was sitting in front of me, holding two black coffees. She handed me one and I gratefully sipped it.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry! I just started drinking from yours! I don't know what came over me."

A strange idea was starting to form in my head. "Veronica, who is speaking right now?"

"I am, and I'm not sure why I keep asking and answering stupid questions."

I picked up a sugar packet. "And who's holding this sugar?"

"Me."

I reached out and put a hand on her forearm. "And who's hand is touching your arm right now?"

She giggled. "Mine, just like I'm the one asking myself stupid questions."