Chapter One
It wasn’t as though the process of making a latte was a particularly challenging one, though you wouldn’t be able to tell based on the way my father explained it to every single local.
“You see, it’s all in the wrist,” he said, flicking it as the words sailed smoothly over the woman’s head. I could tell there wasn’t much of a thought between those two ears, but what did I know? I’d been wrong before.
“And then what happens? Then you can drink it?” Her voice held awe as she watched him.
Drink it? Was she serious? He’d only just ground the beans. I reconciled myself to my earlier statement: there was nothing between her ears at all.
She eventually left, and I noted her down as another local just here to attempt to capture Father’s attention. While the locals assumed he would be left all alone soon, they couldn’t be further from the truth—not that he would tell them so.
It wasn’t long before he was next to me, critiquing my craft, despite me doing this for more years than I could count.
“I know. I know all these things. You’ve shown me every single day.”
“Java, you must understand that these things are very important. It isn’t as though there’s been an inquiry for you, and you are running out of time. We must establish your place here. Firmly.”
I groaned for the millionth time and pushed down the frustration that fought to rise to the surface.
I knew he was right, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.
With both of my sisters married, I was sure to end up the spinster, left to live out her days in this espresso brewery.
It wasn’t a terrible fate, just a lonely one—especially once my father moved onto the realm of death at the end of his days.
“I only want what’s best for you,” he whispered softly, and I felt the familiar guilt stab at my heart. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
It was a lie, and he knew it. One that couldn’t afford to grow, but one that we would brew in all the days to come.