Page 2 of Everything Has Changed
He doesn’t have to explain, because I know what he means. More than anyone, probably. Instead of waiting for him to say anything else, I slide over the rug we keep on the floor to move in front of him. Taking one of his hands in mine, I hold on tightly.
“Can I show you something?” I ask.
Logan nods, and I don’t wait for more as I reach into the hidden compartment under the floor, pulling out an old shoebox that was more tape than anything at this point. He sits up taller, eyeing the box.
“What’s that?”
“This,” I grin up at him, “is my keepsake box.”
“You’ve never shown it to me before.”
I shrug. “It’s special to me.” Looking back at him before lifting the lid. “You’re special to me, too.” My cheeks instantly heat up as the words escape my mouth, something I had not planned, though I know they are true. I focus back on the box on my lap now as I gently remove a couple photos. “These are my parents.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen their pictures up in your grandma’s house.”
I nod. “They passed away a few years ago. A car crash. That’s why we live with our grandmother.”
“My mom told me about that. She told me to never bring it up so I didn’t upset you.”
I smile softly. “I like your mom. She’s nice.”
“What’s this?” He reaches into the box, removing a gold watch with a crack along the face.
“That was my dad’s. He was wearing it when…”
“Oh! I’m sorry.” Logan places it back in the box gently.
“It’s okay.” This time, I take it out, sliding it over my hand. It hangs too low on my wrist to wear it right now. “One day, I’ll wear it every day. I think he would have wanted that.”
“Why are you showing me all this now?”
“I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, someone that understands a bit of what you’re going through, I'm here. Even if you don’t want to talk, I’ll be whatever you need. I know how lonely it can be.” I sift through the rest of the box, not really seeing anything but wanting to keep my hand busy so he wouldn’t see it shake from nerves. “I’m your girl.”
Logan is quiet, and I give into the temptation of wanting to look up and see what he’s thinking. I don’t expect to find his wide hazel eyes staring back at me, with emotion I don’tunderstand sitting behind them. He opens his mouth to say something when we hear his name being called.
“That’s my mom,” he sighs. I scoot back from where I was on my knees beside him to allow him space to leave. “I should go so she doesn’t come looking for me up here.” He looks back at me one more time before descending down. “Thank you, Gwen.”
One small wave and he disappears from view.
“You’re welcome, Logan,” I whisper into the empty room.
1
Gwendolyn
Ishould be listening to the story being told from the other side of the counter, but my sanity is at stake here. As soon as I heard the words, “I had my colonoscopy yesterday”, I immediately turned to the frother to craft the drink I overheard being ordered at the register.
Nodding my head at Walter with what I hope is a soft smile instead of the grimace threatening to overtake my face, I pretend to listen to every word as I let the milk steam. The shrill shrieking emitting from the machine being the only thing keeping me from gagging at the details he’s innocently offering. I pull the stainless steel cup away just enough to buy myself a little more time without ruining the silky smooth foam the milk had turned into. The frother continues on in a cacophony of noises until I feel he’s almost done with his story.
“Got a clean bill of health, aren’t ya proud?” The older gentleman’s grin tells me he thinks I heard every word. That’s all that matters to me as his eyes crinkle at the edges and he takes a big gulp of his black coffee. Nothing fancy for Walt, something he likes to remind me daily.
“So proud, Walter,” I encourage with a real smile this time. “We gotta keep ya healthy. This town would be nothing without you.”
His chest puffs up as I pour the frothed milk over the hazelnut flavored espresso shots I pulled.
“Ya damn right, kid.”
“Walter, don’t you have someone else to bother instead of my hardworking granddaughter?” My grandmother steps up beside me to take the latte for the waiting customer. She returns to us after handing it over with her signature “come back soon, y’all”.
