6. Cole
SIX
Cole
Monday, August 12
7:27 am
I glance at the clock on the microwave and sigh. "Maddie, sweetie, we need to hurry up. It's your first day of preschool!"
Maddie looks up from her bowl of cereal, milk dribbling down her chin. "I don't wanna go, Mommy."
"Come on, it'll be fun. You'll make new friends and learn so many cool things." I grab a napkin and wipe her face.
She pushes the spoon around in her bowl. "Can't I stay home with you?"
"Nope, Mommy's gotta work. Now finish up that cereal, please."
I rush around the kitchen, packing her lunch and gathering her backpack. Garden Montessori isn't far, but I don't want to be late on the first day.
"Maddie, shoes. Now."
She groans dramatically and slides off her chair. I watch her shuffle to the front door, where her new light-up sneakers wait.
"Can you put them on yourself?" I ask, knowing full well she can.
"No," she pouts.
I kneel down and help her, fighting the urge to scoop her up and keep her home with me. But this is good for her. And for me. I think.
"All done. Let's go, baby."
Finally, we are off. As we step out into the hallway, my keys jingle in my hand, and I freeze. A familiar scent wafts through the air, and my heart skips a beat. It can't be.
Buster.
The crisp, clean smell of his cologne hits me like a punch to the gut. I shake my head, trying to clear it. This is ridiculous. He's not here. It's just my imagination playing tricks on me.
I will never forget that smell. I noticed it when he used to come into the cafe before. My knees would feel weak when he smiled at me and made a cheesy comment.
And then his scent would remain there long after he was gone. Fresh and woodsy at the same time.
I take a deep breath and pull Madeline toward the elevator, but the scent follows us. It's as if Buster just passed through here moments ago.
My mind races, replaying our recent encounters. The theme park, the sidewalk, the bar. After years of nothing, he's suddenly everywhere.
The elevator dings and I step inside, grateful for the change of air. But even here, I can't shake the memory of him. His charming smile, those piercing eyes, the way he...
No. Stop it, Cole.
I press the lobby button harder than necessary, willing the doors to close faster. This is absurd. I got over Buster years ago. One night, that's all it was. So why is he suddenly occupying so much space in my head?
The elevator descends, and I try to focus on my day ahead.
"Are you excited about your first day, love?"
"Mmm hmm," she answers, her hands clasped behind her back and her closed-mouth smile directed to me. I hold her small cotton bag with "Madeline" embroidered across the top.
The cafe, inventory, and staff schedules can all wait. Today is a big day—her first day of big girl school.
Focus. Anything but him. But it's no use. His face keeps popping into my mind, unbidden and unwelcome.
Half expecting to see him standing there, I step out into the lobby. But it's empty, save for Mrs. Hendricks sitting in the lobby reading the newspaper, as she does every morning. I nod at her and hurry outside, gulping in the fresh morning air.
As we walk down the sidewalk, I can't help but wonder if this is some cosmic joke. After years of successfully avoiding him, he's seemingly around every corner, and now I'm smelling him when he isn't even there. The universe must be having a good laugh at my expense.
Brewed Awakening
22076 Main Street
1:24 pm
I glance at my watch as I step out of the cafe, the lunch rush finally dying down. My stomach churns with anxiety about the upcoming meeting with the health inspector. I've gone over the letter a hundred times, each violation feeling like a personal failure.
"You've got this, Cole," Nelson calls out as I leave. His confidence in me is touching, but it does little to calm my nerves.
The sidewalk is busy with the usual midday foot traffic. I clutch the file Nelson prepared to my chest like a shield. Inside is a detailed action plan addressing every single issue John Early pointed out in his letter. Nelson's thoroughness is a godsend, but I can't shake the feeling that it might not be enough.
As I walk, my mind races through worst-case scenarios. What if they shut us down? How will I support Maddie? What about my employees?
I shake my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. No, I can't let it come to that. Brewed Awakening is more than just a cafe. It's my dream, my livelihood, my second home.
The health department building looms ahead, all glass and steel. I take a deep breath, straightening my back. I've faced more formidable challenges than this. I'm a single mom, a business owner, a survivor. I can handle a health inspection.
I push through the revolving doors, the cool air conditioning hitting me like a wall. The lobby is bustling with people, but I barely notice them as I make my way to the elevators.
"Fourth floor," I mutter to myself, pressing the button. The ride up feels endless. I use the time to review the key points in Nelson's file one last time.
The elevator doors slide open to reveal a sterile hallway. I step out, my heels clicking against the linoleum floor. The sound that echoes matches the pounding of my heart.
I spot the office at the end of the hall. The nameplate reads "John Early—Health Inspector." This is it. I take one final deep breath, squaring my shoulders.
I'm Cole Johnson, and I'm not going down without a fight.
I push open the heavy glass door of the health department. The stale smell of a municipal office greets me immediately. The receptionist, a young woman with a bright smile, looks up from her computer.
"Hi, I'm Cole Johnson. I have a meeting with John Early."
"Of course, Ms. Johnson. Please follow me."
She leads me down a corridor lined with generic office art, motivational posters, and posters highlighting hand-washing techniques. My file feels heavy in my hands, as if it's filled with lead instead of paper.
"Right this way," the receptionist says, gesturing to a conference room. "Mr. Early will be with you shortly."
I step inside, taking in the sterile environment. The room is all beige and gray, with a long oval table dominating the space. Eight chairs surround it, their faux leather gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. A whiteboard covers one wall, its pristine surface mocking me with its blankness.
A projector hangs from the ceiling, aimed at a pull-down screen on the opposite wall. The air smells faintly of disinfectant, coffee, and printer ink.
I choose a seat facing the door, not wanting to be caught off guard when John arrives. Placing my file on the table, I smooth out non-existent wrinkles in my blouse. The ticking of the wall clock seems unnaturally loud in the quiet room.
My eyes drift to the window. Through the partially closed blinds, I can see the Birmingham skyline. I usually love this view, but right now, it only reminds me of how much I stand to lose if this meeting goes poorly.
I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. The cool leather of the chair seeps through my clothes, grounding me slightly. I can do this. I have to do this. For Maddie, for my employees, and for myself.
The door handle turns, and I straighten up, plastering what I hope is a confident smile on my face.
2:06 pm
I stumble out of the health department, my mind reeling. The meeting with John Early was worse than I'd imagined. His words echo in my head, each one a hammer blow to my dreams.
"Significant violations... Immediate action required... Possible closure..."
My throat tightens as I fumble for my car keys. I can't face Nelson right now; I can't bear to rehash it all to him at this moment. I need space and time to process.
I slide into the driver's seat, my hands shaking as I start the engine. The familiar hum does little to calm my frayed nerves. I have about an hour before I need to pick up Maddie from school—just enough time to go home and try to pull myself together.
The drive is a blur. Before I know it, I'm unlocking my condo door. The cool air inside starkly contrasts the August heat. I collapse onto the couch, burying my face in a throw pillow.
Tears threaten, but I blink them back furiously. I can't fall apart now. There's too much at stake.
I force myself to take deep breaths, trying to quiet the storm of thoughts in my head. How did things go so wrong? I've always been meticulous about cleanliness and safety at Brewed Awakening. It's not just a business—it's my life's work, my legacy for Maddie.
The blinking green digital numbers on the microwave clock remind me that time is slipping away. I should be heading back to the cafe, strategizing with Nelson, but the thought of facing reality right now is too much to bear.
Instead, I curl up on the couch, allowing myself this brief moment of weakness—just a few minutes to regroup and find my strength again. Then I'll pick up Maddie, paste on a smile, and figure out how to save everything I've worked so hard to build.
I'm jolted out of my pity party by a sharp knock at the door. My heart races as I glance once again at the time. Who could be here in the middle of the day? Star's at work, and I'm not expecting anyone.
For a moment, I consider ignoring it. I'm in no state for company. But curiosity gets the better of me, and I drag myself off the couch.
"Coming!" I call out, my voice rougher than I'd like.
I catch a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror and wince. My eyes are red-rimmed, my hair a mess. I run my fingers through it quickly, trying to look somewhat presentable.
Another knock, more insistent this time.
"Hold on," I mutter, reaching for the doorknob.
I take a deep breath and open the door, ready to politely dismiss whoever it is.
My jaw drops.
"Buster?"
I stand frozen in the doorway, staring at Buster in disbelief. Of all the people I expected to see, he wasn't even on the list.
"What are you doing here?" I manage to croak out, my voice still raw from my body's attempt to fall apart.
Buster's eyes widen, clearly as surprised as I am. "I... uh... I didn't realize…you lived here," he stammers, running a hand through his hair. "Just moved in. On Saturday," he says, turning and pointing to the goddamn door directly across from mine. "Got off work early to meet the delivery. My kitchen."
He is speaking in half sentences. Is he breathing heavily?
We both fall silent, the awkwardness hanging thick in the air between us. I'm acutely aware of my disheveled appearance, and I can feel a blush creeping up my neck.
"You... live here?" I finally ask, my brain struggling to catch up with this new information.
"Yeah, that's my place," Buster replies, gesturing vaguely behind him. "I had no idea you were... I mean, what are the odds, right?"
I nod numbly, still trying to process this unexpected turn of events. First, we keep running into each other around town, and now we're neighbors? What the absolute fuck?
"So, um..." Buster starts, then trails off, clearly at a loss for words.
I'm not faring much better. My mind races, trying to come up with anything to say. But all I can focus on is the fact that Buster Hankel, the man I've been trying to forget for the last week, is now living across the hall from me.