Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Maple Cruller

Just a little way past Charlotte's Bistro is a mom and pop coffee shop, 'Grinds' ,we decide that would make the best place for our unofficial first date. Inside is the typical coffee shop atmosphere but the aroma is heavenly to us. Coffee being ground for sale while customers wait and the aroma of freshly baked or baking treats.

"Olivia what would you like?" as I lead her to the counter.

"A Pumpkin Latte and some type of doughnut if you don't mind Max!" then after getting a look at the expression on my face "I like the extra milk with my coffee so Lattes are the best thing to order!"

"Don't pay him no mind sweetie, he's your standard black coffee and plain doughnut type! aren't you Max?" Mrs. Goodwin knows me by now, since I've been coming here daily for the last five years. "Your usual Max or can I temp you with a fresh made Maple Cruller?"

"Make it three!" passing her a twenty, getting my change and order I go back to Olivia "Your pumpkin Latte and a freshly made Maple Cruller Madame!" saying it with a piss poor snooty French accent. Sipping her latte, a sigh escapes her lips then she tries a bite of Cruller.

"How have I not heard of this place before now!"Olivia gushes "This is the best latte I've had today and the Cruller just melts in your mouth!" Behind the counter Mrs. Goodwin smiles, flashing me a thumbs up!

"So go on ask it!" Olivia blurts right out after I put my cup of coffee down "What happened to my leg?"

"Olivia if you don't want to talk about it, I'm cool with that!" Looking her in her eyes "I'm not the kind to hold that against people, besides who says I'm perfect!" Now my turn to shock her as I take my prosthetic left ear off. Olivia eyes widen in surprise at that as I put it back on.

"Well mine was from being born with a clubfoot but I really have to hear about yours!" Then "That is if you want to talk about it?"

"Mine came from a hiking accident when I was 12 years old, fell down a small gorge, banging the left side of me head against a rock that stuck out, slicing the ear nearly completely off. By the time I got to the hospital my ear was unsaveable so the doctor took it off and I got Petey here!

"Petey?!" she giggles "Petey the prosthetic!"

"What did you think I call it 'Ernie the ear!' Both of us start to outright laugh. Catching our breaths I get the nerve to try once more "So Olivia care to meet for a real date sometime?"

Mrs. Goodwin is close, cleaning the other tables. "If you do, hold out for something expensive to make up for this cheap date!" Smiling as she swipes the damp sweeper towel over the tabletop next to us.

"This isn't a real date Mrs. Goodwin!" I say about to say something else when she replies

"I should hope it isn't, back in my day if you considered this a date then I wouldn't let you watch my booty walk out on it!" Both Olivia and I get that image in our minds and stifle a giggle at it, as Mrs. Goodwin walks back to the counter. We finish our coffee and doughnut smiling at each other.

"Walk you back to your car Olivia?"

"Why thank you Max I like that!" Off we go, waving to Mrs. Goodwin as we go through the door. Up the street to where Olivia was parked. Holding the door as she got in, she rolls down the window after I closed the door. "Max would Friday night be free for you?"

"I'll make it clear Olivia!" a giant smile o my face as I step away so she can pull away!