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Walking into the cafe was like passing through a portal. The first thing you noticed was the smell. Mixed into the rich notes of coffee were cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin.
The lights inside cast a subdued light, in contrast to the bright sunlight, and it took a moment to adjust. When they did, the warmest, most charming little space came into view. Colorful, curved lanterns with jewel-tone reds, yellows, and blues glowed in clusters along the ceiling.
Azra had thrifted most of the seating in the cafe. Mismatched chairs with patterned cushions and rustic frames gave the place a comfortable, slightly chaotic, and mostly eclectic feel. She bought most of the tapestries from a vintage dealer in New York City, and a few of the paintings from family members.
Everything was bold and colorful.
Azra worked alongside her part-time employee, Jasmine, behind the counter. Her thick, dark hair was tied back in a bun and desperately trying to escape. Without looking up, she said, “The boy is in your office, Gray! And you better take a shower because I can smell you from over here.”
“Asshole,” I muttered.
“Heard that!”
“Hoped you would!”
Jasmine chimed in, “How’d it go, Gray? Did you get the turtle?”
“Yup.”
“Ooooh,” Ember sighed in appreciation, poking my arm. “This is beautiful. You work here too?”
Azra snorted, but there wasn’t any malice in it.
I summarized what to expect with Azra’s Turkish coffee choices, with all the spice options. But there was no time to wait for the group to order, so I headed to the back of the cafe, where a boy sat on a cushioned bench seat. My laptop and sign-in sheet were the only things on the table.
“Did you wash your hands?” I asked.
The kid jolted straight, eyes wild. “Yes, ma’am.”
I placed my backpack on the seat and unzipped it. “Good.”
The boy started crying when I pulled out his turtle. “Delilah, you’re safe!” He cradled her against his chest, whispering promises to never let her out of his sight again.
I crossed my arms, itching to finish this up and close the chapter of today. With my luck, his pissed-off dad would come barging into the cafe with threats of suit.
It had happened before. I wasn’t interested in it happening again.
The kid offered me a crumpled five-dollar bill and a steely stare behind his tears. “It’s mine. I promise. Please take it.”
Groaning, I shook my head. I’d told him before that I wasn’t interested in his cash, but some people took pride in paying for services. It was an honorable exchange in their mind.
Just let him have his dignity.
The bill folded easily in my fingers and slipped into my pocket. “Alright. Get going now. This isn’t a daycare.”
He nodded once, kissed Delilah’s shell, and left.
After washing up in the bathroom and changing into some spare clothes I kept in my office, I walked back into what would be my nightmare for three whole days.
The stranger camped in the outdoor seating of the pizza lounge across the street, holding an upside-down newspaper.
Like a psychopath.
One that was comically horrible at staying hidden.
Cold dread seeped through me. Who was he? What did he want?
It was difficult to see through the tinted windows, so I doubted he was staring straight at me. But there wasn’t any other question.
