Chapter 4- Coffee and Soups

After putting in the report I stepped out of the station, the night had just begun, and some bigots wanted to play games. That's what I get for moving us back here. Taking a deep breath, the cool crisp air felt good as I walked over to my BMW, keys in hand.

"Flow?!" Joseph's voice rang from the station steps as ai turned my head to look back at him.

"What's up?" I question back, now turning to face him completely as he runs over.

"You going to be okay getting home?" He asks, coming to a stop.

"Yeah, yeah I'll be good."

He nods giving me a quick once-over before shooting me off with a smirk.

"I'll see you bright and ugly."

"You wake my ass up bright and early and I'm sticking my boot so far up your ass."

Joseph shot his hands up, taking a few quick steps back and chuckling.

"I get it, I get it." He responded pivoting back into the station. "I'll come to help with repairs tomorrow though! Just give me a ring!"

Nodding I reach my vehicle unlock the door, and hope in eyes scanning the back seat for a second. Old habits dying hard I let a harsh sigh fall from my lips.

"If it isn't one thing it's something else." I mumble shoving the key into the ignition and peeling out of the station parking lot. Turning up the radio and tuning it to the town's one and only radio station, the blanket of smooth jazz rang through.

Making it all the way through downtown was when the smooth jazz buzzed out and static faded in. Like its own eerie melody as the bright light of Ma's Breakfast and Soup came into view. Pulling in an older woman step out eyeing my vehicle suspiciously. Stepping out, the look quickly twisted, and her arms raised.

"Flow honey how you been?!"

"Hey Maymay, I'm good how you been?" Stepping closer she pulls me into a tight bear hug.

"Been as good as good can get honey." She smirks leading me towards the door. "How you and that boy doing? Words already gone out about the Hendricks."

"Word still flies around here I swear." Running my hand down my face we step into the dinner. Two patrons in the back and the smell of freshly brewed coffee at the bar made a soft smile hit my face. Taking a seat Maymay rounds the counter and grabs the pot and mug.

"You should know this better than anyone honey." Pouring the fresh pot into the mug she slides it over effortlessly, not a single drop spilt as fingers wrapped around it. "So, me and the boys have decided we going to come by with some measurements and help patch the old place if that's alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I don't mind."

"Good." She walks towards the back yelling over her shoulder. "Because you weren't going to stop me from seeing the little squirt."

"He'll be happy to see you again." I responded, taking a quick sip of the brew, it warms my body and banishes the cold that tried to sink into my bones.

After a few minutes, listening to the idle chatter that now whisked its way into the diner as a group slipped past me and into the big booth in the corner. Loud obnoxious chatter but chatter, nonetheless.

"Flow honey could ya come back here and help this old woman a quick second?" Maymay gave a quick wave of the hand.

"Yeah, one sec." Downing the rest of my mug, I get up and walk around the counter tossing my mug into the warm dishwater as I pass. "What's up?" Giving me the side eye, she makes a quick motion towards the freezer.

"Two of them boys that just walked in are with the Hendricks that pulled that stunt tonight, I don't want you getting hurt or you getting into any kind of trouble." Maymay leads me passed the freezers and towards the back entryway.

"Maymay I can walk out the front."

"Not with what Jeeves saw. Now get in the car and go home." Shoving a large bag of food into my arms she ushers me out the door and into the decently lit back alley. "Love you, see you and Miles tomorrow."

With that she closes the door and to my own reluctance my shoes kick up air as I round my way towards my car. Placing the food in the passenger seat, and getting in. Out the corner of my eye someone floats out of the alley I just came from, face covered, and hair hung low. Feeling the goosebumps rise on my skin, I pull out of the parking lot and head home.

~~~~

-Miles-

Waking up the loud banging, makes my heart jump into my throat.

"MILES!" Auntie shouts from downstairs. Juno hops down from the bed stretching and letting a low mawl come before rushing out of the room. Throwing my legs over the edge, I follow suit stretching before getting up and throwing myself down the stairs. Stopping by the living room to see that the glass had been swept up and a tarp had been patched to the walls.

"What time is it?" I mumble stepping into the kitchen where Auntie places the food out.

"It's about 3 in the morning."

Nodding and taking a plate the smell making my stomach growl loudly.

"Boy you can't be that hungry. What the hell?" She chuckles taking her own plate and tossing me a fork. "Eat up, Maymay is going to be by with some of the boys to help fix the window in the morning."

"Interesting weekend that's for sure..." I mumble opening my plate and scarfing some eggs. "What are in the containers?" Gesturing to the two red to-go containers.

"Maymay's famous tomato soup for your crackers." She responded by picking one up and swishing it around. "So, eat your breakfast and you can take this with you to your little hangout."

"Hangout?"