He began visiting the
Vietnamese
restaurant regularly. They had good
pho
,
spring rolls
, and skewered meats. The owner, when he'd given the kid his first meal for free had known what he was doing. Knew the kid would be return. Spend all his discretionary money on the satisfying, deep-fried, yet fresh tasting food. And coffee.
He orderd the vietnamese
coffee
at the end of every meal. He never had planned on getting it. Only to reach the end of his bowl or plate and then the craving would kick in. Soon enough the owner got the hint and began bringing the coffee out for him as he came to take away the dishes.
Kyle Sardinksy, his frenemy, should be coming out to speak at pep ralley right now. Sardinsky had become a sort of local hero after the shooting. From jock asshole bully to activist spokesman against bullying. Having been his 'friend', knowing who Kyle really was, he found it hard to cheer on this 'transformation'. Everybody else seemed to like the new Kyle. He didn't. He hadn't even liked the old one, it made him cringe. His eyes scowled, lips snickered, as he stared out into the street and bent over for another sip of the vietnamese coffee, but met nothing but dregs. Damn had he already drank that much?
The owner's hand appeared with another cup. He shot him a face that said 'you looked like you could use a 2nd cup.'
He thanked the owner who gave him nothing more than a gentle nod while returning to the counter. He took a sip while looking out the open window. The cool air blew against him. It felt like it was going to
rain
. Just like the first time he was here.