I think caffeine blocks the creative areas of my brain. It’s like when you’re trying to sleep, but there is a constant activity in your mind keeping you awake. It’s not that you’re thinking about anything in particular, but like you’ve got a light bulb on that you can’t turn off. It could be that I’m just not a very adept writer yet, but it sure seemed like the caffeine wasn’t aiding my writing.
Regardless of any excuses, here is the next chapter. You’ll be glad to know that the next chapter is also started, so it should follow quickly.
After about an hour of staring at Monica’s phone number, Mike found the courage to pick up the phone and dial. The conversation was brief, and for this Mike was grateful. Monica said the plan was to meet at The Coffee Hut at around 7 pm tomorrow. The Coffee Hut was a local coffee shop in town that hosted different musicians on the weekend. Usually they were unsigned bands or solo acts that had yet to be discovered. It was popular to grab a cup of coffee and sit for a few hours and listen to music on a Friday or Saturday night. Monica said her friend Jen was coming, and Mike was welcome to bring some friends. He gave a cheery “Sounds great! See ya then,” and hung up before she changed her mind.
While lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, Mike considered how to classify his Friday night plans. Without a doubt, part of him wanted it to be a date. This side of Mike’s thought process argued she had given him her phone number after all, and that definitely counted for something. The more cautious side though suggested that she had invited various third parties to also attend, and this made it a friendly group outing, not a date. Regardless of any symbolic title, Mike was nervous as all get out.
Friday rolled by slower than a Grandma in a Cadillac. Mike didn’t particularly want his friends to come that night, but if Monica was inviting friends, he thought he should do the same. The thought of being alone with Monica Callaway was frightening enough, but being outnumbered was probably worse.
After school Mike checked in with his accomplices. Jackson had to baby sit his little sister Emily, so he was out. Marly and Adam were free though, and they were game. Mike told them the plan was to meet at The Coffee Hut at 7, and Marly said they’d meet him there. Mike asked Marly to make sure Adam didn’t act like a total fool. “Don’t worry,” she assured him, “I’ll keep him under control. See you in a bit.”
Mike started getting ready a couple of hours before he was supposed to show up. His attention to detail was immaculate. Every hair on his head was was in place, and each armpit was wearing several layers of deodorant. Mike was going to do everything in his power to make sure the night went smoothly. Mike was so anxious he ended up arriving at The Coffee Hut a full half-hour early. Inside a few people were reading and sipping coffee, but it wasn’t packed yet. He ordered a vanilla latte and grabbed a table. The music wouldn’t start until 8, but by then it would be a full house. Mike kept an eye on the door, and waited.
Monica and Jen pulled up to The Coffee Hut a little after 7. Before they got out Jen looked at her.
“You ready?”
“Yes, I am,” Monica insisted. “Now can you stop making me more nervous than I already am?”
“Sorry,” Jen said and zipped an imaginary zipper over her lips. “Let’s get some coffee, and have some fun.”
Monica wasn’t sure why she felt so jittery. She was used to seeing Mike Donovan in a certain way, and this new view was confusing. Monica liked what she saw, but it was unfamiliar. She wondered if Mike felt the same.
They grabbed their pursues, and Monica and Jen made their entrance.
The Coffee Hut was definitly hip. It had the feel of a Starbucks meets a club. The lighting was dim and gave the place a very intimate feeling. When the girls walked in Mike was already sitting at a table. Marly and Adam had already arrived and joined him. When Mike saw them he waved them over.
“Hey ladies!” Adam squealed. Marly pinched him so hard he gave out another yelp and almost fell out of his seat. He gave Marly a crazed look. “I mean HI.”
“Hey there,” Jen said. “Good table.”
“I got here a little early,” Mike said. “You two want to sit down? Or do you want some coffee? Because you could get that now, if you want, unless you’d rather sit down…”
Adam cut off his babbling with a swift kick under the table.
“You look like cappuccino ladies, am I right?” Adam guessed.
Monica nodded. “That sounds great, thanks.”
Adam got up to order. As he did Marly pinched his butt in approval.
Jen sat down next to Marly, and Monica realized she’d done so on purpose. The only seat left was next to Mike. Jen smiled in no particular direction and started talking to Marly. Monica took the seat next to Mike and hung her purse on the chair. Adam came back with drinks and the five talked about all sorts of things. They talked about where they wanted to apply for college, about the caffeine in the coffee, and about other music they’d seen at The Coffee Hut.
Beneath the table Mike’s fingers were crossed. So far, so good.
Around 8 o’clock the first act was setting up his guitar, and it was standing room only.
“Good thing you got a table,” Monica said to Mike, “or my legs would be aching.”
“Yeah,” Mike nodded. “Thanks for asking me out, here, for coffee I mean. Usually I’m just Marly and Adam’s third wheel.”
Monica grinned sheepishly. He came across as a little shy she thought, but he was thoughtful too. “You’re welcome,” she told him. “What you did the other day, it threw me for a loop. Are you the same Mike Donovan that broke his arm jumping off the swings in elementary school?” Monica teased playfully.
“I think so.” Mike was surprised she remembered. “Except I stopped jumping off swings last year.”
This made Monica giggle, and even Mike chuckled at his lame joke. The nervousness they both felt began to melt away.
As the musician introduced himself and began playing Mike took a deep breath. For the next hour or two the pressure of conversation would be lifted. In the softly lit room Mike glanced back at his “maybe” date.
Monica Callaway was beaming.
