Starling looked at him for a moment thinking he was joking and then squeezing her eyes and forming a frown with her mouth grabbed the carafe and dumped it into his cup.
“Hey! Don’t pour it like that, you’ll scald my hand!”
Linus pulled his hand away which made some of it spill.
Starling took her towel and began wiping it, not making eye contact she said, “Well what do you expect to happen when you’re greedy like that and want it filled to the rim, there’s barely room for those big lips of yours to sip it.”
Linus had always been self-conscious about his big lips. Having an eastern European ancestry he never understood why he inherited the lips of Howdy Doody. Being thankful not to have inherited the freckles and thick red hair he contented himself with just the lips. But now he felt even more self-conscious than before. He had wanted to ask starling on a date, but when you ask one on a date there is the thought behind it that it might lead to a good night kiss and who would want to give a good night kiss to Howdy Doody or in this case, Linus. His self-confidence being shattered he didn’t say another word and walked away. Sitting down at the same table from where he came, he noticed the old woman had returned and moved over to her table again. Looking up at him she sighed shaking her head slightly.
Trying to decide what to do next and looking down at his watch as it was getting late, Linus began to think this was a silly moment in time that needed to be erased forever. Just as he was about to get up and walk out the door he noticed two multi-colored striped tights standing before him. They stood in a pair of army boots that were loosely tied. An outfit like this could only belong to one worker in the coffee shop. He looked up to see Miss Starling holding a coffee cup in her hand.
“Sorry about spilling your coffee. Here, this is on the house.”
She set down before him a stainless steel travelers mug.
“This way you can always have it filled to the brim and it won’t burn your hand. And the first Monday of every month, you get one free refill if you bring it in. I don’t know if you’ll be back here anytime soon, but I got this free for being a good employee, and I don’t really drink coffee.”
Overcome with such a generous gift Linus was left speechless. He watched her walk away and return behind the counter much like one might watch the sunset. Linus had never met a woman like Starling before. He had received bonuses in the past but had never had anyone to share them with. He looked over at the old woman who gave him an affirmative nod as if she knew what he was thinking. Linus stood up, straightened his suit jacket, picked up his new travel mug in one hand and coffee cup in the other, he walked over to the counter where Starling was now restacking napkins into the tray.
He stood directly in front of her. Starling stared at him waiting for him to speak. But Linus didn’t speak. He put his coffee cups to the left of the counter and then took his hands and swept it across the countertop that was standing between them, knocking over several empty coffee cups and lids along the way. The noise of the plastic hitting the ground caused several customers to look up and see the man who was clearly out of his league use both his forearms to lift his body up onto the counter top and jump over the counter into the area for making coffee. The jump in itself was a little awkward; when he landed his hat fell off his head.
The store manager upon seeing this yelled out, “Hey! Get out of there!”
This made Starling laugh out loud and yet she couldn’t take her eyes off of Linus’ determined stare. That laugh, those lips, smiling at him was all Linus needed to take the last step.
That and the sound of the 5 foot, 3 inch old woman who had now wondered right up to the counter for a front row view and whispered, “You can do it! Just kiss her!”
It gave him the last dose of courage needed. Linus looked over and nodded to the old woman who was holding one fist up like she just won a victory.
Starling was leaning over to pick up Linus’ hat but he intercepted her before she reached it. He grabbed Starling squarely with both hands on her shoulders forcing her to stand up right again. Then placing his hands softly around her neck with his thumbs landing on her blushing cheeks, he kissed her hard on the lips. Starling reacted as one only does when being kissed with spontaneity - she felt her left foot go up on her tip toes and her right one bend slightly at the knee. The old woman began to cheer, the other clients were laughing, and the manager was yelling some sort of obscenities at the two of them.
Seeing as Starlings shift had been over for the last 10 minutes, she ripped her apron off from around her waist and threw it in the bin behind her where all the used aprons were kept. Right before Linus’ eyes he saw her leap over the counter, knocking over several napkins sending them flying like doves being released on someone’s wedding day. Linus in his own clumsy fashion, attempted to leap over the counter again only this time he landed on the ground next to starling. She leapt to her feet like an acrobatic performer and put out her hand to help him up. Both of them laughing as if they were the only two people left in that coffee shop.
“Well, Linus, are we ready to go have some fun?” Starling asked with her hand still in Linus’ even though both of them were now standing and facing one another.
Linus nodded and said, “I was wondering if you’d like to help me set up a window expo?”
Starling said, “That sounds like a blast!”
Linus wasn’t sure if her laugh meant she was serious or making fun, but regardless he would need to make some good sales that day if he was going to keep a woman like Starling happy for the rest of his life. He bent over and picked up his hat, wiping it off and placing it backwards on Starlings head. He grabbed Starlings hand and led her out the coffee house doors. She called a cab by whistling loudly like he had seen in the movies. And the two drove off. Starling never did return to that coffee shop. She ended up being a sales rep for windows and the two of them spent the next 25 years selling windows and traveling the Midwest, never passing a coffee shop without giving one another a kiss in remembrance of the day Linus ordered courage in a coffee cup.
~*~
Breathless
By
Julia Pichon
It had been fifteen months since the incident, a year since her life had returned to normal, or as normal as it could be. Her father retreated back into his regular work routine, and now his advances at work had them spending the summer, and maybe even moving to Hawaii, which was more a tropical prison than paradise to sixteen year old Monique.
Monique’s father was a business man, even when at home he was always doing work of some kind, which left him little time to spend with his family, even when his family went down from four people to two. He was one who felt he could control everything, which is how he managed to rise quickly through the ranks of his company.
The only thing ever known to sway his mind was his wife’s eyes, the same hazel-green orbs that Monique inherited. Between her bright green eyes and full pouty lips, Monique could easily get what she wanted from her father, but since the accident, she didn’t want anything anymore. She just existed, passed the time doing puzzles and sighing deeply. And despite what any other teen would consider a life-changing move to paradise, such was the case she found herself in Kualapuu, Hawaii.
“Monique, it’s been a week, try to go out. I’m sure there is something you can do; you’ve already done all the puzzles you brought with you,” Her dad told her.
“I don’t like swimming or surfing!” Monique shouted from her room, her dad had already moved on to the living room, most likely on his way to work.
“Well, try going to a store and buying some new clothes. Buy something, do something, try something. Just, get some fresh air.”
“Oh, is that why you took me away from the city, for fresh air?” Monique said rolling her eyes, “I was fine back home.”
“I have to go, do whatever you want.”
“Bye!” Monique said in a decidedly unpleasant voice.
The girl rolled over in her bed an
d turned to face the digital clock on the nightstand, it was 7:40. She rolled over to lay on her back before pulling her petite figure into an upright position.
“I guess a new puzzle would be nice. I wonder what kind of pictures they have on the puzzles in the islands? Huh, probably a bunch of cityscapes.”
She went to the dresser and dug some clothes out of the still unpacked suitcase sitting on the ground in front of it. She went down the hall to the bathroom and took a quick shower. She slipped on some jean shorts, a purple tube top shirt with a black see through net shirt over it, with some black sandals.
She put a pair of sunglasses over her wavy brown hair that fell to her shoulders, and looked in the mirror. The girl was a mix of French, Cuban, Black, and Native American; though back home everybody took her for a Mexican at first. Consequently, she had learned a bit of the Spanish language, if only to set them straight.
“Guess this will do.”
She sighed and turned away from the mirror. Her image used to be one she truly loved. Like any other teenage girl, looking at herself in the mirror was almost a pastime. She was once one of the most popular girls in school, but she stopped interacting with people after she got out the hospital because everyone felt sorry for her or asked her about what had happened. But Monique never wanted their sympathy, or their stupid questions, she just wanted to have things back the way they were.
“Guess I’ll just cut out my crossword puzzles and then go out for an hour or so. I should be able to get back home for ten. I can do my yoga workout and hopefully have a new puzzle to do.”
Monique did everything on a schedule, an old habit from when she actually had a daily schedule to keep. Clubs, volunteer work, dance classes she took and helped teach.
If the fact she had to be in Hawaii for six weeks wasn’t bad enough, then there was a chance she would have to move there. Being a big city girl, the small island town wasn’t her thing, but she wanted to get the full feel of the place so she could explain to her dad in detail why they were better off in Chicago.
“Well, at least we don’t have to stay in a hotel.”
The company her father was partnering with had found a house in town and had set everything up for them to rent it while they were there, and if transferred the house could be purchased.
She put her ID card, credit card, and keys in a black wristlet and headed out the door.
“Hopefully I’m not forgetting...”
She paused remembering her phone was on the charger in the kitchen. She went got the black galaxy III and left out the house.
“I don’t know why people like to be here, it’s freaking hot!”
Monique sighed.
The house that they were renting for the summer was close in town, the beach was fairly close also, but Monique couldn’t swim and after almost drowning when she was six she now stayed away from any water over a foot deep.
She walked up the street to the corner and stopped, wondering which way she should go.
“What are the chances they have a mall around here?” She spoke to herself.
“The store is down the road if you’re looking to shop.”
A male voice spoke behind her and startled her.
“Sorry, to intrude, but you did ask a question.”
Monique turned to look at the boy. A Hawaiian Taylor Lautner, she thought as she was about to smile, but poked her lips out instead, “Well, I wasn’t asking you, but since you’ve already decided to help unasked, how about you show me where?”
Monique knew it sounded rude, but that was the point, just like it was rude for him to just butt into her conversation with herself.
The boy just laughed, “I’ll take you.”
He was on a bike and just stood there for a moment.
“What?” Monique said unsure of why he wasn’t showing her the way. “Well, which way?”
“Hop on the pegs, I’ll take you.” He said trying not to laugh.
“I’ll just follow you.” Monique said moving to the side so he could pass.
He started to peddle slowly crossing the street. There were little to no cars on the road, which was more noticeable the farther they went. Most of the cars they did see were parked.
The store was three streets away and he stopped in front of it.
“Here you go.” He said.
“This isn’t a mall.” Monique said turning to the boy.
“If you’re looking for big and bright you’re on the wrong island.” He chuckled and rode off. “And if you’re looking for food try Kualapuu Market down the street.”
“Hey, you, boy, is this some kind of joke?” Monique shouted to him.
“My name is Atlas.” He shouted back, but didn’t stop or turn around.
“Atlas, what kind of name is that.” Monique said rolling her eyes.
Monique looked at the sign on the building, ‘2nd Chance Aloha Wear’.
“Might as well look around.” Monique said going into the store.
It was a second hand store. Monique wasn’t used to used clothes, but if it was the only store might as well see what they had.
The place was so small, Monique wondered if they even took credit cards. Before making it too far into the building she paused by the jewelry in the front.
“It looks like a clothing store, doubt they have puzzles here, but guess I can look at what they do have.”
She sighed and went over to the clothes.
“I should buy something.” She said to herself and grabbed a sunset style Hawaiian, button up shirt.
~*~
Monique left the shop and went home. She hadn’t even been out for an hour; most of that time she was out just walking. After doing her ‘Yoga for Teens’ DVD she decided to go out again, maybe find something to eat.
At five she finally felt rested enough to go out again, though she didn’t know where exactly to look, so once she got to town she figured she’d follow the crowd.
The first set of lights she saw had a lot of people going to it, so she followed to see what was going on. When she got into the fence she saw the guy from earlier in the day. He seemed to sense her presence and immediately turned toward her. Once he made eye contact he walked over to her without the slightest sense of hesitation so usual in teenage boys.
“Have fun shopping?” He asked her.
“Atlas, was it?” She asked, “That store was as lame as the joke of bringing me there.”
Atlas started laughing, “No joke, that’s the only store in town. If you want a bigger store it would be a trip, but it’s not a mall either.”
“How do you people survive?” Monique said shaking her head.
“Happily.” Atlas chuckled, “So you here for the show?” He asked.
“What makes you think that?” Monique asked.
“Well, all tourists like the show.”
“And what makes you think I’m a tourist?” She asked.
“I never saw you around before, and I know everybody.”
“Oh, you do.” Monique said, and then pointed to a man walking around, “Then who’s that?”
“That’s the gym teacher.” He chuckled, “Hey, coach Khamani!” Atlas shouted.
The man turned and waved, “Aloha, Katahara.”
“Katahara?” Monique said confused.
“My last name.” Atlas explained.
“Lucky break.” Monique said.
“Maybe, but actually he works at the luau also.” Atlas explained. “His brother owns the place and he helps out in the summer. They hire mostly school kids to help out.”
“Oh,” Monique said, “What do you do here?”
“I perform in one of the shows, but mostly I’m a waiter.” Atlas explained.
“That’s boss.” Monique said sarcastically.
“It’s not the best, but been working here for three years and saving up for college.”
“We do what we must.” Monique said.
“So, are you here for the show?” Atlas asked again.
> “Well I was just looking, but since you said you perform I think I’ll stay and watch.”
Atlas laughed, “I play the drums when the girls dance, then the guys join in.” He explained, “I’ll sit you to the front then.”
Atlas led her to the table, “Can I get you anything?” He asked.
“Some tomatoes for when you mess up.” Monique joked.
“How about a soda?”
“Sure, orange soda if you have it.”
“Ok Kel.” Atlas said.
“Kel?” Monique asked confused, “My name is Monique.”
“No, I meant Kel, from the show Kenan and Kel.” Atlas said, “You know, Kel loves orange soda.”
“Oh,” Monique laughed. “I do, I do, I do, ooo.”
Atlas laughed, “I’ll be right back.”
He set the drink on the table, “The show starts in twenty minutes.” He said, referring to when he would be performing.
Monique looked around, “So, I guess the people from Lilo and Stitch were pretty much on point.” She said. “Looks just like the luau place Nani was working in.”
“Yes, in fact I think they modeled the guy after me.” Atlas said.
“Really, they were here?” Monique asked.
“No, I’m just joking.” Atlas joked, “I look way better.”
Monique laughed, “Are you just talking to me so you don’t have to work?”
“No, talking to you is work. You’re a customer.”
“Ha ha, get back to work!” Monique turned to look at the menu on the table.
“Yeah, yeah.” Atlas chuckled as he walked away.
~*~
After the show, Atlas walked over to Monique’s table and sat across from her, “So, you’re not a tourist?” He asked.
“Not really.” Monique replied.
“So, you live here now?” He asked.
“Maybe,” Monique said and shrugged her shoulders.
Atlas shook his head, “You can’t give me a straight answer, eh.”
“I answered you.” Monique said.
“Did you like the show?” He asked.
“It was alright. You were a little off the drum beat with your steps though.”
“Oh, so you’re a hula pro, eh?” Atlas chuckled.