Read Online Forgetting August (Lost & Found) by J. L. Berg - Free Book Online Page A

the amount of medicinal marijuana that had to be running through his system, for a recurring migraine he never seemed to have. When I asked him about it, he just smiled and said, “Well, it must working,” as he moved on to the next coffee order.
    I continued to work our morning rush, saying hi to our many loyal customers. Trudy, another coworker on shift that morning, worked pastries, warming and toasting everything as I took orders and Simon brewed. I backed him up when things got tight.
    It was a well-oiled machine and we all worked well together.
    Why would I want to leave?
    We worked tirelessly until the morning rush passed, thoroughly earning our mid-morning lull. As Simon cleaned the espresso machine and restocked milk, I roamed through the café, emptying garbage and checking the creamer situation upfront.
    Trudy peeked up from the pastry case, a brownie in hand.
    “Hey, feel like splitting?”
    “You know we’re not supposed to take from the case in the middle of the day,” I reminded her, folding my hands across my chest.
    “I know, but this one might have fallen on the ground,” she said, scooping some peanut butter frosting off the corner with her index finger. I watched in fascination as she dipped it in her mouth.
    That bitch knew peanut butter and chocolate were my ultimate weaknesses.
    “You’re putting something that was on the floor in your mouth?” I asked, refusing to budge. Even for a brownie.
    A really gooey, yummy brownie.
    “No, but when I report to Sherry at the end of our shift, it will have fallen to its death on the floor. Very sad.” Her lips formed a little pout as she dangled it in front of me, the last shred of restraint melting as I caved.
    “Okay fine,” I answered, looking around the vacant store, “But I want coffee to go with it.”
    “Deal!” she exclaimed.
    Knowing I didn’t go for anything fancy, she poured us two freshly brewed cups of coffee and I watched her carefully split the brownie down the center with a knife.
    “Yours looks slightly bigger,” I complained.
    “It does not!”
    “Does too.” I fought back with a slight smirk.
    “Oh stop, and get back to work. I gave you chocolate, and coffee—you should be happy.”
    Kissing her smooth cheek, I grinned. “Thank you, Trudy. This makes my day.”
    The three of us finished up our little odds and ends chores, and I helped the few stragglers that managed to find their way in. The late bloomers, I called them: the tourists that moved to the beat of their own drum—setting their own pace as they relaxed their way through vacation—or the shift workers who kept odd hours and needed a pick-me-up or a relaxing cup of tea to help end their day while others where just starting out.
    I liked these people. They moved slower. Life always seemed to be a bit calmer for the late bloomers. That’s exactly how I wanted my life to be.
    Calm. Carefree.
    Simple.
    Looking down at my engagement ring with its small cluster of diamonds surrounding a glittering center stone, I knew I’d have that with Ryan.
    He was my anchor.
    We quickly made it through our mid-day rush, which wasn’t as hectic as the morning’s but still quite busy. We had a partnership with a deli downtown. They delivered gourmet sandwiches and salads to our door every morning, so even though we didn’t have the equipment to prepare food on our own, we were able to serve lunch to the merchants and businessmen stopping by.
    It earned extra revenue for the shop and kept us all gainfully employed.
    Win, win.
    As I was finishing with my last customer, and dreaming of diving into a large bowl of split pea soup from my favorite bread store down the street, I saw him.
    Only it wasn’t a vision or a dream…or even a ghost this time.
    It was really him.
    Walking into my place of business.
    Dressed in a loose fitting t-shirt and designer jeans I recognized from years ago, he appeared disoriented, sweaty and tired as he stepped through the doorway. So different