Hazel snorts. “I’m going to call bullshit. I’m pretty sure you’ve considered murdering me, or at least Miles, a few times.”
“That last one is definitely true, but not because I was greedy or had a wife who had aspirations to climb as well. It’s usually just because he’s an idiot.” He turns back to me. “Don’t even get me started onHamlet. That’s just a mess that could’ve been cleared up in the beginning, and I really couldn’t handle the tediousness ofOthello. You know, there’s a pattern where he paints men to be idiots.”
I tilt my head. “I wonder why that is.”
He grins. “I left myself open for that one.”
“It was too easy.”
Hazel snorts again. “You notice he didn’t have a damn thing to say aboutRomeo and Juliet, though.”
Everett turns to her, pinning Hazel with a look that indicates he’s not interested in this conversation any further. “Coffee, please.”
I grin, deciding that I do want to continue. “Yes, I did notice. Why is that?”
“No reason.”
Hazel places two cups of coffee down. “It’s because he’s totally Romeo and can’t remotely critique himself.”
“Yes, I’m so Romeo,” Everett says with an abundance of sarcasm.
“Aren’t you?” she counters.
“I can see it,” I say, half joking and half wanting to hear what he’s going to say.
We used to joke about being Romeo and Juliet, without the death and feuding family part. The way we felt instantly for each other when we were younger. The fact that we had to part, butpromised to return, the way a single kiss changed our entire lives, but we promised our story wouldn’t end.
“Considering I’m still alive proves I’m not as much of an idiot as him.”
“Oh, please,” Hazel jumps in. “That’s not what made him stupid. That’s what made him the hero. He died for her, and I’d bet there’s a woman you’d do the same for.”
Our eyes meet, and I look away just as quickly. No, that’s not ... no.
Everett chuckles and then grabs his coffee. “Parting is such sweet sorrow. Until tomorrow.” He winks and then heads out the door.
It takes me a second to unscramble my brain and remember I actually have to go to work. I take my card out to pay, and Hazel lifts her hand. “This one’s on the house.”
“Hazel, I can pay.”
“And I can give my friend a cup of coffee. Now, go before you’re late.”
“Thank you!” I say and then rush out the door.
When I get to my car, I turn the key, but nothing.
“No, no, no! Not today,” I yell and try again. Once again, the engine doesn’t kick over. I huff, pop the hood, and go to the front as though I have a clue what I’m looking at.
Of course this is my day.
When I step back, Everett is exiting his truck that’s parked across the street and walking over. “Do you need a jump?”
“Probably. I don’t know.”
“I have cables. I’ll pull right over here,” he says, moving back to his truck.
He brings it alongside mine, hooks it up, and tries to jump it, but it won’t start. Seriously, I could use a vacation from my life.
“I mean, why not?” I say aloud. “Why not have one more thing today?”
