Brother's Run

Chapter 6: Alice's

Warning: Strong Language.

Chapter 6: Alice's.

Alice's place was one of the many small cafes around town, but it was the only one that felt right for us to hang in. It was dark and even the front window was constantly covered with black-out dark velvet curtains. The top half of the walls had black painted bricks and the bottom was smooth with a teal coat to it, they'd painted it so the black swirled into the smooth part of the wall. Gold trim paintings of magical creatures and lost legends decorated the bricked enclosure. Large mushroom lamps sprouted from each table, all different colors and the tables themselves had a top that looked like purple grass, but was smooth to the touch.

It was like we had stepped into a new world and that could've been the reason we chose this place.

"Hey boys." It was Liz, the owner of the place and hopefully my new boss.

"Sup Liz!"

"Hey Liz." We walked up to the small counter and took our seats, I placed my head down on the wooden top.

"Did yeah guys have a fun night?" Liz had quickly become our favorite person in this town, he'd let us go without paying when we'd come up short. With that kind've kindness we knew better than to take advantage.

"Yeah, Loni here's recovering. No sense of humor this morning." Rory joked.

I gave an irritated grunt.

"See." Rory gave me a poke to the side. It made me jump and my shoulder sting in pain. "Hey, what happened? Did you f**k a jump up man?"

"It's just sore, don't worry." I gave it a little rub, "Hey Liz, can you make me some hash browns?" His hazel eyes looked greener today and he gave me a soft smile.

"Don't worry darling I'll make you boys a good big breakfast today." He placed his hand under my chin to look up at him. "It's on me, just don't be so down this morning. Okay?"

I nodded in agreement and gave a half smile in return.

"You two have to sit up here and chat with me though." Liz had walked off to the back of the kitchen as he spoke, to give the food order and help cook. He was forty six and talked like a doting grandmother, another thing we enjoyed about this place. Liz kept every piece of his thick black hair in place tons of gel and wore fancy vests with dress shirts and slacks all the time. He'd switch between bow ties and ties, but not once had either of us seen Liz in casual street clothes.

"I seriously think he likes you more than me, Loni." Rory pouted his big blue eyes and bottom lip out at me.

"Ha, you think everyone falls for those doe eyes?" I'd admit only to myself, that those big blue eyes would catch me sometimes too though. I would do anything for my little brother and I have. I could feel my face drop and I turned before he could get a good look.

It never mattered what I tried to do in attempts block out the past but it always came to the surface. Liz had popped out from the kitchen with a folded green cloth.

"Here dear, this is for your shoulder." He handed the green cloth over and I could feel the ice pack in it. "Put it under your shirt so you don't have to hold it there."

"Thanks Liz." He disappeared into the back again as I placed the cool cloth on my sore shoulder. It was soothing to the burning pain I hadn't noticed til it had been cooled.

"So do you think he's gonna try getting down your pants if you start working here?" Rory gave me another poke.

"f**k off with the poking Rory." He giggled at the glared look I shot at him. "You do know he's married with like, six kids."

"Doesn't mean it can't happen."

"Holy hell Rory, not everyone is about getting f*****g laid." I knew my brother had an out of control libido, hell I'd give him a good f**k if he didn't shut up soon, but I held my tongue after that and Rory seemed to do the same.

We sat in silence until Liz had come out with two fully loaded plates of food. Bacon, sausages and eggs, oh my. I cracked a smile at my own thoughts.

"Damn Liz, you sure know how to make a man smile." Rory joked.

"Doesn't take much for you hun… how about you darling?" Liz was leaning over the counter gazing at me. I simply gave him a smile with a mouth full of crispy shredded hash browns, I loved. I mean I seriously loved the way Liz cooked the hash browns, like mini french fries crossed with hickory sticks. I couldn't wait to find out how he cooked them.

"Thanks Liz…" I played with some scrambled eggs while I spoke. "Umm… Liz… you still think a spots going to be opening soon?"

"Oh yes, yes Loni. I got it all set up after you graduate." I'd hope to start sooner, but beggars can't be choosers, as they say. "Rory, you're going to have to take lots of pictures for me and Annie to see."

"Yeah, I'll take pictures with my mind and send'em to you."

"Rory! Don't be a f*****g ass!" I gave my bratty brother a kick in the leg and Liz gave a chuckle. I was glad he was able to put up with my brother, he may've been cute but his sense of respect was lacking.

"Ow, you're the f*****g ass!" Rory cried in pain.

"Don't worry Loni, he could be worse." It didn't take much for Liz to reach over and ruffle my hair, he was also quite a tall man.

"Yeah Loni. I could be worse." I looked over at my brothers bright blue eyes and my brows pinched in confusion. "Hahaha, relax Loni. I ain't doing anything you haven't."

Those words definitely did not settle well with me and we sat in silence as Alice's filled with more morning commuters.