The usual? Who: Chris and Steven What: Morning Caffeine Where: Las Vegas High School When: Present Ratings/Warnings: Low
The morning commute from Boulder through Henderson and into work had become Chris’s decompress time - blaring his 80’s and 90’s playlist through the car’s speakers as he drove, tapping on the wheel as he sung along with the music. Depending on his morning sometimes he’d pick up a tea or latte from his favorite coffee shop in town, other times he’d make a protein shake to drink along the way but it was winter and he was feeling it, so today it would be a hot Lavender Tea Latte with some Savage Garden.
When he was waiting for his Latte he typed out a quick text to Steve, the football coach at LVHS and his best friend.
Usual ☕?”
Chris knew that Steve’s mornings were usually busy trying to wrangle a 5 year old into getting ready for school, so making a stop to pick up a caffeine fix for his friend was never an inconvenience. Though he had learned long ago that getting a reply could take some time.
He was still a few miles outside of Henderson when a computerized voice interrupted Truly, Madly, Deeply with ’Morning, sure. Black coffee, please.’. He chuckled to himself, “OK then.” a black coffee it would be.
During summer he’d usually get Steve’s iced beverage when he got his own, the condensation on the outside frozen with a simple touch that would keep it ice cold during the commute, sadly he couldn’t do the same with hot drinks and they'd get picked up in Henderson.
With his satchel bag slung over his shoulder and Steve’s coffee in his hand he walked from the staff car park, through the corridors to the faculty offices until he came across the familiar door, his knuckles rapping on the wood.
Lily had decided she wanted to tell riddles the whole way to school that morning: ”what can you swallow that can also swallow you?”
Their morning routine rarely changed on the weekdays. Up before five o’clock to shower and get ready for the day, savoring the quiet time before he had to wake up Lily for school. He always made her lunch the evening before so it wouldn’t be rushed for the morning. Then wake her around six to begin the day.
Breakfast then brushing teeth. And then they piled into the car and he dropped her off at school. Her grandmother typically picked her up considering Lily was out way before the High School did, and he swung by his parents to get her and bring her home for dinner.
By the time he got to school Steve usually had consumed a cup or two of coffee already, but ingrained in their routine was also the consideration from his friend CJ pertaining to bringing drinks. He admittedly looked forward to the small bit of adult interaction that wasn’t primarily focused on work.
His office was cooler, even in the winter months. Steve swore the panel to control the temperature was busted after many failed attempts to heat the room.
“Come in,” Steve called, blue eyes turning toward the door as the knock came. He knew by the rapping sound who it was.
Most of the time Steve arrived at the school before he did, but on the rare occurrence that he was early Chris would still knock, but if no answer came he'd open the door and place the coffee on the desk before heading to the library.
But today he was in luck. Once that confirmation from inside the room came CJ turned the handle, pushing the door open with a smile on his face.
"Morning. One black coffee, hold the bagel." He said, handing over the still hot beverage. If it sounded like a rough morning sometimes Chris would also get a bagel or pastry from the coffee shop, but this morning didn't sound too bad. Plus an overload of carbs wasn't healthy for either of them.
He caught the aroma of the coffee before CJ had even crossed the threshold; he’d come to learn and adore the taste of the blend from the particular place that the coffee came from and so when it was provided he enjoyed it all the more. As such, the corners of his mouth turned up and tucked into his cheeks.
“You’re the best,” Steve remarked, then emitted a bit of a laugh. “Have I told you?” Only a million or so times before, give or take a few. “Thanks again.”
Steve took the coffee cup and set it down on the desk next to the ancient computer and yellowed keyboard.
Over the years he’d been teaching the assortment of things on the flat surface had changed. The picture of Casey and Lily always remained. It didn’t matter that Casey had been gone for nearly four years now, he couldn’t take it down or put it away, so the frame remained like a beacon.
“Long day ahead?” He inquired of his friend, eyebrows lifting a bit. The day would begin soon, he wouldn’t keep CJ for long knowing they both had things to tackle for the hours ahead, but being around another adult was always a moment to cherish as it was rare and not always common. Another thing to look forward to, he supposed.
Like most places there was quite the variety of coffee shops to choose from and it took some trial and error to find one that ticked all the boxes, although CJ couldn't stand the taste of coffee he still went there for Steve's, it was on the way in and didn't require a detour which made it even more convenient.
His smile widened when Steve thanked him, of course it was said every time but the acknowledgment still made him smile.
"Don't think it'll get too crazy today, there's a shipment due at the end of the week and that's always fun." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, those were the days that would be the longest. Inputting new titles into the system, adding the required stickers and barcodes could get repetitive and somewhat boring, but it was all in his job description and usually he'd put on some music to help. "What about you? Practice tonight?" CJ didn't think there was, but he could be wrong if the days got switched around.
“No practice tonight,” Steve confirmed, nodding. While he loved what he did, a break now and then was good for everyone. When he played, academics weren’t always the primary focus. Times had thankfully changed and the players he coached needed time to catch up on homework and have tutoring. Practice sometimes began early in the morning to better fit the schedules of the players, and those nights Lily stayed with her grandmother overnight.
“I have to take Lily to dance after I get done.” Lily went to a place not too far that he took her to. She’d been going since she was little and he liked the people who worked there.
And then it would be somewhere takeout for dinner that had a drive thru - probably Chick-Fil-A or something equivalent if he knew Lily - and then to home for winding down.
It wasn’t the most interesting life but it was his and he did the best that he could to manage everything in it accordingly.
“Books are good, though. These kids need new stuff, fresh stuff.” Unlike the same rotation that had been available when he attended school before, CJ seemed to give the books a fresh vibe that the kids responded to.
Despite spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out American Football it still went over his head, then again even back in Australia he wasn't into sports that much, preferring the arts and music instead. But to each their own.
"Bet she's getting pretty good at it too, at least she's sticking with it." CJ said, remembering his own sister when she was that age, but unlike Lily, Kelly would go from thing to thing after about six months, much to their parents' dismay.
Chris's own night wouldn't be as interesting, home and maybe a book or an hour or so on the piano. There wasn't much going on the way of music during the week, especially with Christmas closing in. There was only so much one could take of Christmas music.
"I think it's a shipment of reference books and non-fiction, not as exciting as novels but still necessary." He smiled, even with the internet bringing information to their fingertips there were still those who preferred to do their research 'the old fashioned way' with books. And that kept him in a job. "Hopefully the novels arrive before Christmas, something to enjoy over the break." Not that Christmas break was that long, especially compared to what he had grown up with.
“You know, she really loves it,” Steve replied. He looked thoughtful for a moment or two as if he shared an idea with CJ, but then the moment faded and he looked at his friend again. “The instructor has been really good with her, and of course it stays interesting enough to keep her attention.” He had the same fear CJ had thought of - what if she lost interest? Lily was independent for the most part and kids could be fickle, but she truly seemed to adore dance class.
“Still important, even if it isn’t nearly as fun.” It was the same thing with practice drills - they were hard and boring, but it kept the kids in shape and focused for the game.
Nearly everyone he ran into was already cruising into Winter Break mode. Thankfully he didn’t have a lot of people to purchase gifts for. Lily had helped decorate their small tree after Thanksgiving and he always made sure she had plenty to open when the holidays came around. Christmas Eve was always spent with Casey’s folks in Searchlight and then Christmas he and Lily spent the morning with presents and going to his own parents for the afternoon and evening.
It was always a ruckus at his house considering the amount of siblings he had who came and went or got a bit rowdy.
“Oh yeah, I’m looking forward to the break.” Another holiday without Casey. It got easier every year but it still hurt a little knowing she wasn’t there.
Five years old was definitely in the fickle age group, one minute they love something and the next they hate it. He was old enough to see it in his siblings as they grew up, he knew what would lie ahead for his friend when Lily hit the tween and teen years.
"Reading for study is never as fun as letting yourself get lost in a good novel!" It was an escape from hassles of real life, and one CJ thoroughly enjoyed, he always had.
Not having to drive into the city and getting to spend the day in whatever clothing he wanted was what he enjoyed the most about time off work, if he wanted to sit around reading in his favourite pair of pants he could. Though he still tried to stay active with a jog or swim down at the pool.
"I'm sure you and Lily will have a wonderful time on Christmas Day, I'll probably be up Christmas Eve trying to celebrate over FaceTime with the family as usual." He chuckled, but just like Steve had his routine, so did CJ - Christmas Eve was Facetiming with the family back in Australia and Christmas Day he could do whatever he wanted. "When I first moved here it was a phone call and that was it, thank goodness for advancements in technology, huh?"
Steve nodded. He laughed a bit, softly, “Yeah, it really has come a long way in the last few years.” He wished the advancements of today would’ve been around a few years ago, maybe it would’ve helped Casey. But he was glad that CJ could connect with his family.
“If you aren’t doing anything on Christmas you’re always welcome to stop by. I am one hundred percent sure there’s something under the tree for you.”
It wasn’t a ploy to get the man to come over, they were friends and Lily would insist they get at least one thing for CJ. Whatever happened on that Friday was fine. The break would be here regardless, sooner rather than later, which meant no practice and no school.
A lot of things had changed since he was in high school during the late 90's, if someone had told him at the age of 16 what schools would have 20 years in the future he would've just laughed. They didn't realise how lucky they were in some regards.
CJ was never one to intrude on anyone else's holidays or gatherings, he wasn't the type that dropped hints suggesting an invite, but if an invite came from the heart it was harder to decline.
"Only if you're sure." He smiled, even more so when told there'd be a present under the tree. He only got a few people gifts for Christmas or otherwise, Steve and Lily were 2 of those lucky enough. Lily in particular seemed to like the different kinds of toys and stuffed animals that CJ's parents would get for him in Australia, something definitely unique compared to the rest of the kids.
“Totally sure,” he replied, nodding. He didn’t invite just anyone to their house for the holidays, but he knew his friend was mostly alone and probably by choice. If CJ wanted to come by then he would, if not then that was fine but the offer was there regardless.
Lily seemed to enjoy the stuffed animals CJ brought and the stories about where they’d come from, the land afar that she had never been to but would want to visit.
“If you want to come by in the morning for breakfast, that’s fine, or I can let you know when we are heading back from his parents house. Fortunately he didn’t live too far from his folks and could get back to the apartment fairly quickly.
It was true that CJ didn't have many friends and the holidays could get lonely for most people, it was rare for him to actually get into the spirit and he enjoyed those days just relaxing. But Christmas was for kids and seeing the brightness in a child's eyes brightened his day.
"How about after you two get back from your parents? Give Lily another present to open once the earlier excitement has worn off a bit." Hopefully by then there wouldn't be as much traffic on the roads.
That sounded like a much better plan and Steve nodded. “Cool, yeah, I can text you when I’m done. We may have a late dinner, which you’re also welcome to stay for.” He didn’t mind either way and would understand if CJ wanted to bail after a little while.
Typically Christmas wore Lily out, though she usually went to sleep around eight on most nights. He had a feeling she would be exhausted and sleepy way before but then she could still surprise him once in a while.
But at least it gave him soemthing to look forward to and also an out if he overstayed Christmas at his parents place.
"If you supply dinner, I'll bring along dessert. Sound fair?" It would also give him something to do Christmas morning, CJ loved cooking and baking and would happily spend hours in the kitchen rather than socialising.
Plus it would be rude to bail on them too early, although they tried to catch up away from the school it didn't always happen, and texting each other wasn't as personal as face to face. It'd be nice to sit down and talk at leisure, no bells or students, only an excited 5 year old wanting to share their latest news. "But if plans change, let me know and I can come around sooner." Even if it was just to drop off presents and wish them a Merry Christmas.
“That sounds great.” He didn’t mind at all his friend pitching in to help. Plus, dessert was never an item turned down in their house. And it was Christmas.
“I’ll do that. I doubt it’ll be any different from any other year, but yeah. I’ll let you know.”
Above them, in the hallway, the bell for school began to echo. He looked up, made a face, and then looked at CJ. “Better get to it.”
Chris mirrored the face that Steve made when the echo of the bell rang out, time to stop talking and start working.