looking for a blue October

 Cori was kind of glad not to see Melvin at work. Oh, the questions he would ask. It gave him a wince.

But there was no Melvin who texted to say he was under the weather. Not even a voice mail to let Cori know if that was the real truth. He thought about calling Caitlin to ask what happened but knew he wouldn't appreciate anyone giving him twenty questions about his love life.

His heart felt so happy to have found Megan and yet he felt a bit shakey too. Was he seriously ready for the future with her? He knew if he didn't dwell on it, everything would be fine. Just like handling the pizzeria.

As he went through the motions, checking various variables of the day from the heat of the ovens to enough cash in the cash register, he did wonder how sick Melvin actually was.

What if it was COVID? They'd all be in quarantine. Mel's pizza would shut down, and Cori would be at home with Megan and Caitlin. Their place wasn't big enough for quarantine. They would all be sick. They'd all be in the hospital. The more he thought, Cori went from bad to worse. Had he forgotten all about the pandemic after spending one amazing adventure night with Megan?

He went on to make pizza. He checked on the veg to make sure it was fresh. He ended up throwing out more salad than he should, but who was eating this lately? Not that many.

Near the end of the day, he looked up and saw one of Melvin's friends coming in to pick up takeout. It was Tommy (Long-haired Tommy, Melvin called him).

"Hey, how's it going?" Naturally, he didn't wear a mask and his lanky body looked as if something was missing. His electric guitar. When Cori first came here, months ago he'd heard Tommy play.

"Fine, I guess," Cori didn't really know how to talk to him. Tommy was a serious musician. Funny, how no one could notice there was a stage in the corner. Now a little black table and two chairs were on the small platform.

"Look, I can't get ahold of Mel," Tommy said as he was paying for his veggie pizza.

"Says he's under the weather," Cori shrugged.

"Dude, that sucks," Tommy's dark eyes looked ever so serious. "Could you tell him I got him a gig, at least?"

"A gig?" Cori looked at him blankly.

"Yeah, he does these Johnny Rotten covers," Tommy smiled. "And they have been asking if we'd do it, later in October." He went on to talk about some Halloween party.

"Wow," Cori smiled. He had not idea Melvin was a punk rocker.

"Talk to him, bro," Tommy didn't even know his name. He pointed at Cori as if this was serious business and then he left with his pizza.