The first coffee

I get to work, definitely feeling a little off. I start brewing the coffee first thing, grinding more beans than usual to make it stronger. This might be a three-pot day. Hopefully Victoria doesn't notice. I fill my mug with ice from the break area, then wait impatiently for the brewing to complete. As soon as it is finished, I pour it over the ice.

I open and pour in the sweetened condensed milk. The thick, goopy white cream plops into the cup. The thick, milky cream sinks to the bottom, then rises up the sides, making little black and white spirals. After a few drops of almond extract, I agitate it a little, then take a sip. “Mmmmmm...” Delicious!

I turn away from the coffee maker and I freeze. I find myself face-to-face with Victoria. “Don’t you think you should get your desk in order before treating yourself?”

Fuck. I haven’t even booted my computer yet, or printed her schedule. I probably look like a kid caught digging in the cookie jar. I see her eyes looking me over. My eyes are probably a little bloodshot. She looks at my chin and I realize that I forgot to shave. “Yes, Ms. Hartley... I didn’t get much sleep.”

“And how does that absolve you from doing your job?”

“...It doesn’t. I’ll g...”

“Are you going to be capable of helping me this evening?”

“...yes, of course.”

“Get yourself sorted. And find some time to shave. I can’t take you to a restaurant like that.”

“I will.”

She sniffs the air, then a second time. “What is that...almond?”

“Um..yeah. I made an iced Thai coffee... I have the ingredients here if you’d like one.”

She looks slightly impressed. “That is a good idea. It is a good day for one. Make one for me...AFTER getting your desk in order.”

I head over to the computer and get things running. Victoria unlocks her office and sets down her things on her desk. Once printed, I bring the sheet to her and leave quickly.

As I am about to make a second Thai coffee, a nasty idea forms.