the cold blast of winter

 Rico wasn't quite sure what he could tell his Dad. After all, Bren was older, who worked at the grocery store. But she was the one who was there who made work feel like a second home.

"Stick with me kid, and you'll be far more than the cart boy," she told him on his third day as he was bundling up to go into the cold. "I'll have hot chocolate waiting."

Well, of course, he couldn't say no to that. He hurried to chase baskets about in the icy cold just so he could get back inside. In fact, flurries were in full force, even if it was bitter ice. He guessed he was happy that she'd taken notice of him. Still, there was the thought of Mona wondering if she was really OK.

Later, Bren and Rico had hung out in the dining area. She asked him how long he'd been living here. He told her he was from Texas and wasn't used to this kind of winter. "We would have closed the roads by now if I was back home, and school too."

Bren only chuckled slightly as if he had a lot to learn. Of course, she was out of school. She was in her twenties. Evidently, she'd been here a while.

"So I guess you know everyone," he smirked.

"I know people, even people who shop here." Bren shrugged back.

"Would you know a girl named Mona?" He was serious. There couldn't be too many Monas around, could there?

"Oh, her." Bren smiled. "I think she worked here over the summer."

"Really?" Rico couldn't help but be curious as he nursed his hot chocolate.

"Yeah, but her boyfriend Tristan came around and made it impossible for her to work here," Bren explained he'd made a big scene while she was working as a cashier. It was quite a commotion. "We almost called the cops. We probably should have but she begged us not, too."

"Tristan?" Rico looked at her wondering if Bren knew more.

"He's crazy. Maybe even bipolar." She kept even lipped as if she wouldn't want to have anything to do with him. "I felt really sorry for her. I don't know why she'd put up with such a drama king like that. But I guess they break up and get back together all the time. Would you want a relationship like that?"

Rico shook his head, no.

Roman got his stuff before LaLa arrived. Bea shook her head as he was leaving. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" No one came with him to load up his car. Bea thought that should be a warning sign right there. She hugged herself, thinking winter was definitely here and maybe it was the sign of the times, too. She just didn't know anymore.

"Are you going to your folks for Christmas?" She was sure to be there loaded down with presents. That was always what they wanted. She'd been given a Christmas lists for all the nephews and nieces. Here she went again, being in debt. Damn, she was just too nice.

Of course, she might not look it to most, but that was who she was, bringing sweet potato pie and even a chocolate pecan for Roman's mother.

Naturally, he just shrugged. "You ought to show up for dinner. Bring that new something with you, why don't you?"

Roman fumed at the idea. "If he means so  much to you, your parents need to know." Of course, this was all easy for her to say, but she wasn't so sure if she could say the same thing about herself. Of course, they were just relatives. She didn't have to be that concerned. Yet, she'd hate to bring Frankie along. She was sure he'd get looks that might send him running.

"Will, you be here for LaLa?" He wanted to know as he was getting his gear ready to leave.

"Oh, that's a funny question," Bea shook with laughter. "Heaven knows if she'll be here long. I heard she's got a new fellow."

Roman only sighed as if he didn't want to talk about LaLa. "Well, you did bring her up?" Bea gave him a sigh. Why did she always have to be in mother mode around him? She knew LaLa never listened to her, either. But on the upside, she did have the whole place to herself. Bea yawned then and waved goodbye. She was so ready to go to bed early.