Coffee & (Explicit Version)

~Coffee & Change~

 The snow melted quicker than anyone hoped and the grind had resumed as though it had never stopped. Businesses were entering the brief post-holiday lull and people were longing to rest. Paul had barely stopped, due to his inability to stop, for fear that something would happen and occupy his brain.

However, both Paul and Emma knew the question tugging at Paul's lips that he didn't ask, night after night that they spent together. They even had another dinner with Holly and Eve where Paul didn't ask it. And Emma would hate to push Paul, out of fear for pushing him away and ending the period of consistent joy. She couldn't remember ever feeling this joy in Hatchetfield, especially after Jane died.

"What time do you have to be at Beanie's?" Paul asked Emma when they got to his house.

"Like 7:30. Nora's opening so I get to wake up a little later," Emma say.

"Oh! Any reason why?" Paul asked before remembering that whenever Nora made his coffee, he wouldn't be able to drink it.

"To supervise. She does it every few months or so to make sure things are fine. By fine, she means her way," Emma said, "Shitty."

"Ugh," Paul groaned.

"So just, be prepared. There will be no caffeine," Emma said, "Or, rather, it'll be diluted. Just a heads up."

"Ok, I'm going to mentally prepare tomorrow on the way," Paul said.

"The mental preparation is essential," Emma noted.

Paul went to Beanie's on his coffee break and was greeted by Nora, which was new. "Hi, welcome to Beanie's, how can I help you today?" Nora asked.

"Just a small black coffee," Paul said.

"Alright, I'll get started on that. It's just me," Nora said. That instantly hit Paul with worry as he texted Emma. Why is Nora the only one here?

He waited on a response as Nora made his coffee, the sounds oddly calming. Paul got his response when he was already back at work. She cut my hours. Guess Kelly spilled the beans to her so now I'm working only middle of the day. Paul's mouth fell open and he looked at the response in shock before sending his reply. Do you want me to stop by in the afternoon? Because I know I'm the most regular customer there and she'd hate to lose my business because I bring Bill and Al with me. Emma sent back a response. Don't come by I'll make you coffee tomorrow and bring some by after my shift.

That afternoon, Paul surprised Bill upon saying he wouldn't be going to Beanie's that afternoon. "Em's hours were cut so now she's only working when I can't come. Gonna try to boycott," Paul explained.

"That's total bullcrap! I'm going to head home, then," Bill said, "I'll pass it onto Al."

"Thanks, Bill," Paul said as they parted ways. When he was alone, Paul called Emma. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Weirdly enough I'm gonna miss it. Maybe Starbucks will help make up the missing hours," Emma said.

"How are you going to do all that?" Paul asked.

"I'm taking one class and it's just worksheets. However, it's ridiculously expensive," Emma said.

"Alright, well, do you want to do something tonight or not really?" Paul asked.

"I think I just need to be alone right now, figure out a new budget plan," Emma said as they hung up.

Instead of doing what she said she was going to do, Emma walked to the cemetery and finally sat down at a grave. She looked down at it. "Jane, I'm stuck and I figured talking to you would help. My hours got cut at Beanie's. Nora is a bitch and I guess she didn't like the fact I'm in a relationship with Paul, who's a loyal customer. I'm only working in the middle of the day and this brings down my income significantly between tips and everything. I don't know what to do. I was relying on this week to pay my rent and now it's gone. I don't know what to do, I'm gonna be fucking homeless," Emma said, putting a hand on the tombstone.