FADING: A novel

He turns around, dumps a portion of the eggs onto a plate, and takes several slices of bacon before setting it down in front of me.

 

“Not much. I need to pick up my books for my classes, and then I was going to hit the gym for a couple of hours. What about you?” Jase sets his plate on the bar and sits down next to me.

 

“Work,” I say as I take a bite of my bacon. “I have to work all week. I also need to go up to the studio to get in some solo time before classes start.”

 

We continue to eat in silence for a few minutes. When I finish my breakfast, I look up at him and tease, “My ass thanks you for the bacon.” Winking at him, I walk around to the other side of the bar and rinse off my plate.

 

“God, you guys are up early,” Kimber says as she walks into the kitchen with her eyes squinted as if the morning light is too much for her to bear.

 

“It’s nine. Hardly early, Kim,” I say sarcastically.

 

She grabs the box of Lucky Charms and pours herself a bowl, barely opening her eyes to do so, then sits on the barstool next to Jase. He stares at her with a smirk.

 

“Whaa?” she says with a mouthful of milk and a magical leprechaun concoction of cereal and marshmallows.

 

“You have this kickass kitchen to cook in, but you continue to eat like a six-year-old kid,” he says, shaking his head and laughing.

 

“This shit’s good,” she says, using her spoon to point and emphasize her beloved breakfast cereal.

 

Jase and I laugh at her. I walk over and pour myself another cup of coffee before heading to my room.

 

“I’m going to hit the shower and get ready for work. I’ll see you guys later.”

 

“See ya,” they both say in unison.

 

The weather is oddly nice today, so after I’m dressed, I decide that I will just walk to work. I’ve been working at Common Grounds, a local coffee house right off campus, for the past two years. I don’t need the job for the money; I just like having the responsibility.

 

I pull out my phone as I walk to check my messages, and I notice I have a missed call and voicemail from my mother. Already annoyed, I go ahead and listen to her message.

 

Candace, I was hoping to hear all about your date with that young man from the club. I surely hope you didn’t already screw this one up. It’s your senior year and you should be taking your future seriously. I just heard Maggie’s daughter got engaged to the Garrison’s son. Well, anyways, I have a lunch date with the ladies, so I need to go. Please, call me back.

 

Deleting the message, I drop the phone into my bag. Of course she would think anything that didn’t work out to her liking would be my fault. She’s so unbelievable. I only wish I could have a decent relationship with her, with both of my parents, really. I know I shouldn’t have those expectations, but I can’t help hoping, that maybe one of these days things will change.

 

When I arrive, I am greeted with the familiar aroma of freshly ground coffee and muffins. I love working here. Everyone is really nice and my boss, Roxy, is great. She’s in her early thirties and is extremely eccentric, with long, choppy colorful hair—purple this week— a pierced nose, and tattoos. She’s always there for me when I need solid advice.

 

Roxy is working the espresso machine as I round the counter to grab my apron. I tie it on as she finishes with her customer.

 

“Is it just us this afternoon?” I ask as she is handing the customer his change.

 

Walking over to me, she sits down on a stool. “Yep. Brandon had to take care of some issue with his scholarship. But it’s been pretty dead so far.”

 

I pull up a stool and sit beside her.

 

“How was breakfast with your parents the other day?”

 

“You know, just the same old crap. Nothing ever changes. I don’t understand my mother and why she just can’t be happy for me. I keep holding on to the hope that she’ll change, but I’m starting to get tired. If it wasn’t for my father, I would probably never even see her.” I look away from Roxy and focus on my hands. “God, that sounds horrible, huh?”

 

“No, hun, that sounds honest. Don’t apologize for your feelings. You’re allowed to be angry with her.” Roxy stands up and walks back over to the espresso machine to make herself a drink. Talking over the loud grinding and hissing she asks, “So, did you do anything fun last night?”

 

“I kinda had a date,” I said, peeking at her over my shoulder.

 

“Oh, yeah? How did that go?” She walks back over to her stool, sits down, and takes a slow sip of her drink.

 

“Fine, I guess. We just grabbed a couple of drinks. He said he wants to hang out again, which I guess would be okay. I mean, I might as well enjoy another date before the quarter starts and I get too busy.”

 

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