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MIA HENSHAW

MIA HENSHAW

The day always went by very slowly every weekend like this when I didn't have lectures. It annoyed me when no one came to

patronize us and I didn't even have much of a social media presence to promote the cafe.

I stared at the complementary cookies I had baked when I came in this morning and let out a sigh. We've had quite a

handful of people come in after their early morning exercises for coffee but as it neared afternoon, the cafe emptied out.

“What's got your panties in a twist?” Tina asked from beside me, looking up from her phone as she rolled the gum she was chewing around her tongue.

“Aren’t you bored?” I asked, picking a cookie and throwing it in my mouth as I contemplated getting a book to read from the

bookshelves lining the wall.

“Well, not really. I have my phone to keep me company. Why don't you watch a movie or something? It should be rush hour

soon.”

I scoffed. “When you say rush hour, you make it seem like hundreds of people will bombard the cafe when in fact, it's only a

few people and families that will come in for ice cream and iced coffee when the sun gets too hot.”

She giggled. “Don't let Cindy hear you downtalk her cafe like that.”

“She's not in and it isn't like she needs the revenue from here.” I replied, blowing away a strand of my hair that had come

loose.

“Maybe your mysterious customer will come in today. You know, he was so disappointed when I told him there were no

confectionaries available.” She said, putting her phone down.

I slapped my forehead. “I am so upset that I didn't come in earlier that day. Maybe he would have bought everything I baked

again.” I said, letting out a sigh.

“…And leave a huge tip. I'm sure that's what you'd be most excited for if he shows up.” She responded, chuckling.

“You are quite wrong. The reason I am anticipating his coming is because someone is finally taking a keen interest in my

baking. No one else buys what I bake even if I beg them to.” I explained to her.

She patted my head. “For what it's worth, I love everything you bake. They taste heavenly.”

I smiled gratefully at her. It was people like her and Katie that helped me believe not everyone was bad or with evil intent.

My phone rang out, piercing the quietness of the cafe. It was Isha. After that time at school, she'd always call and check up

on me. She had also taken up the responsibility of leading our group project and invited us to her place next weekend so we

could work on the project.

“Hey girl.” Her shrill voice called out. “How are you doing today?”

“I'm fine. How are you?” I responded.

“I feel terribly bored. Are you working a shift at Sugar Cubes today?” She asked.

I nodded and when I remembered she couldn't see me, replied with,“Yes. I am there now.”

“That's great.” She squealed. “I'll get dressed and be there in a jiffy. See you.” She said and hung up, not waiting for my reply.

“Is that bubbly girl coming here again?” Tina asked as I noticed her watching me.

I nodded. In the space of the few days since I had forgiven her, I've lost count of how many hours Isha had spent here.

Some

may think she was our newest worker.

“Beggars can't be choosers.” She said, letting out a sigh. “And one customer is better than none.”

I giggled as I readied myself to receive the burst of energy that was Isha Henry.

~•|~•|~•|

It was almost evening when Isha finally left the cafe and we, Tina and I, were finally able to breathe. Though she was a lot

of help during the rush hour which was surprisingly…rushy.

Unfortunately though, my mysterious customer didn't show up, leaving me feeling downcast even though I was able to sell some

of my confectioneries and make new customers who left good tips.

“Let's start packing up. The sun is soon to go down.” Tina said, handing me a damp cloth. “Please, wipe the tables.” She requested as she went into the kitchen to do the dishes.

“Sure.” I replied, getting to work immediately.

I was about to clean the third booth after wiping the tables and upturning the chairs when the bell dinged, informing me of a new arrival.

“Good evening and welcome to Sugar Cubes.” I greeted, swiftly hiding the napkin behind me and stepping forward.

I came in contact with the same stormy blue eyes I had been waiting for all day. My smile widened as I took in his

half-covered face.

“What can I offer you today, Mr…?” I trailed off, hoping he would complete it by telling me his name as it was only right that

I knew my best customer's name.

But I should have known better.

“Good evening. Do you have any pastries available?” He asked, ignoring my question.

“Of course. Do you want it to go?” I asked, handing him the menu I had compiled specially for my pastries. His eyes skimmed

over the pages for a millisecond before he handed me back the menu.

“Give me everything available.” He said, those words starting to get familiar, as he walked towards a booth to sit down.

I shook my head, beaming nonetheless, as I went round the counter to the kitchen to pack his order.

“Is he around?” Tina asked when she noticed me separating all the remaining pastries into paper bags.

I grinned, nodding as I poured almost all the cookies into a bag, reserving the rest for Katie who had requested for them.

“I guessed as much.” She replied, taking the dishes out of the dishwasher. “Hurry up, you shouldn't keep him waiting.”

I giggled, putting a bowl of ice cream with the pastries though I didn't know if he liked it. “I'll be back.” I said, dashing out the

door.

I noticed him sitting in the booth, his head buried in his palms. His shoulders heaved as he probably let out a sigh.

Did he have a life-threatening disease? Was that why he was so prickly? Or maybe he was going through a rough patch.

He raised his head and caught me standing there, watching him. I didn't know how to explain that I wasn't a creep who

enjoyed looking at men with beautiful blue orbs.

I smiled widely as I handed him the bags. I was going to smother him with kindness so he could survive whatever it was he

was going through.

His eyes remained inexpressive as he once again, brought out a wad of cash from his wallet and stood up. Was this man trying

to drown his sorrows with sweets?

“Here.” I called out after removing what he owed from the wad, causing him to halt. He turned to look at me, his hardly-visible

eyebrows —which were covered by his snapback—raised.

I reached for his hand and slapped the remaining money into it. His palm was soft and tender and I realized I had never

stood this close to him before.

He let out an annoyed grunt and stepped back.

“I'm sorry to invade your space, I just wanted to return the excess money.” I told him as I also took a few steps back.

“You could have just kept the change.” He said gruffly, reminding me of a grizzly bear.

“It's more than the daily wage so I don't think it can be described as change.” I said with a smile. He huffed and instead of

giving me a reply, he walked towards the counter and dropped the money in the tip box.

I sighed as I watched his retreating back. If he really continued like this, I would be rich in no time. Why would anyone

waste their money like that?

“That whole exchange looked suspicious.” Tina said from behind me. “I can't blame you though, he looks like one fine species of

a male.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Are we ready to close?” I asked her, my thoughts lingering on a certain man who some may

think rude.

“I am done with my part and I don't think anyone will be coming in again.” She replied, packing her stuff into her handbag.

“Okay then. I'll clean the remaining booths so we can leave.”

~•|~•|~•|

The cold evening breeze pierced through my thin shirt causing me to fish out my hoodie from my bag. As I was about to zip up

the bag, I noticed my phone was ringing.

I picked the call and placed the phone between my shoulder and ears as I zipped up the bag.

“Hello.” I said.

“Mia darling, where are you?” Laura's kind voice reached me. I smiled to myself as I continued walking.

“I totally forgot today was Saturday. Is Katie there already?” I asked her.

“She got here immediately when the sun set.”

“I'll be there soon and I'm sorry for delaying dinner.” I said and after she told me to stay safe, hung up.

I flagged a cab down and gave the driver the address. As we neared my destination, I took off the hoodie and let my hair fall down my back in soft curls after which I ran my fingers through it in an attempt to untangle it.

I retouched my make-up so I could look presentable and also to hide my dark circles. Laura would hound me if she ever saw

that.

The cab came to a stop in front of the two-storey building that was Laura's home.

I alighted from the car after paying the driver and made my way up the driveway.

Memories of my teenage years flashed through my mind as I stepped across the threshold of the house I grew up in after pressing in the password and unlocking the door.

The scent of fresh lavenders filled my nostrils as I caught sight of the fresh flowers she must have hand-picked from her

garden in a large vase by the door.

“Mia dear, is that you?” I heard her call out as the sound of pattering feet neared me. I dropped my bag on the couch and

met her halfway, almost leaping into her embrace.

Her motherly embrace warmed me up, giving me a sense of belonging I normally misplaced even when I was among people I

called my friends.

“How are you, my dear girl?” She asked, feeling all over my face with her hands.

“I'm fine, Laura.” I replied. She scooped my cheeks in her hands.

“You look so much leaner. What do I always tell you?” She asked, a somewhat disappointed look on her face.

“Eat before you do anything and I always do, at least Kate makes sure of that.” I told her.

“Good to see that one person has imbibed my culture.” She smiled, grabbing me by the hand. Let's go to the dining room, Kate

is helping me dish the food.”

I followed her. Nothing much has changed, since I moved in here, moved out and came here for dinner last month. Laura

believed in preservation and it could be seen in everything she did.

“You finally decided to join us.” Katie said as she dropped a bowl on the long dining table which could easily accommodate over

ten people at once. “I am starving.” She cried out, taking her seat.

Laura and I chuckled. “I'm sorry I kept you waiting, mademoiselle Kate.” I responded, sitting beside her.

After my parents abandoned me and I entered the foster system, I had lived in more than five foster homes before I finally

met Laura when I was twelve.

I had taken an instant liking to her because of her personality and she never let me regret my decision that day. It was also

the same day I met Kate.

It was the day I decided to celebrate my birthday for the first time since I was four and abandoned.

“Could you lead us in prayer, Mia?” Laura called out, bringing me back to the present.

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