"Forget anything?" Ike asked from behind the counter.​​

     "We decided to eat here, after all. Is that a problem?"

     "Not even close. You need a tray?"

     "We're good. Thank you."

     They sat down at one of the three tables provided for customers.

     From her paper bag, Malika lifted two steaming cups of coffee. She put one of the cups in front of Niki and kept the other one for herself.

     She took the paper bag out of Niki's hand.

     She took two breakfast burritos out of the bag along with two napkins.

     Again, one in front of Niki.

     The other one stayed with Malika.

     "Mmm, smells good," she said.

     Niki didn't touch hers, not yet.

     "Say one word," Malika said. "Say the single word that comes to mind when you think about what happened just now."

     Niki's response to that caused Malika to think, OMG, this shit's really serious.

​     A single tear appeared at the corner of Niki's eye.

    Malika ​never saw Niki cry.

    Well she had, once or twice, but...

​     Niki said her single word:

​     "Impossible," she said.

CONTINUE