easy going as ever

 

It was one of those days when Cyrus was certain he could have been more help loading boxes to help Hope and Kyle move than to be at the pizzeria, but since he'd only met them he guessed that one time, he wasn't really part of that crowd.

A part of him felt left out, yet he knew he'd be no good left on his own. It was best to be where ever Pixie was so he didn't make a fuss. Still, it felt everyone was moving forward but him. Or was it the thought he might be holding Pixie back from something? 

"What's wrong with you?" Even she knew he was in a slump.

"Nothing really," he told her as he went to watch the dough turn in the big machine. It would be time to get the pans ready and hope for a lunch crowd. After all, things were practically back to normal. Alex would be back to school soon and he didn't seem to be tormented as of late so, of course, he was as giddy as a school girl, always talking about Eric.

They hadn't had to take care of Cora anymore since Megan and Cori got back from their honeymoon. Maybe that was it.

"Do you think Cora's doing OK?" He then asked.

"I think so," Pixie nodded. She said she was well behaved around Megan's grandmother. It seemed they did a lot of art together and she was starting to count correctly, too.

"Nice," Cyrus nodded with a smile. He was certain he could be educational with Cora too. Except, he generally did everything Cora told him to. Yes, maybe he was hopeless.

"Look, while we're quiet, I'm going to take a look in the storage room at the inventory," she said as she gave him a pat on the back. This meant, he'd mind the store. Naturally, this never set well with him in the pit of his stomach as if it was a sign that a mysterious stranger would show up and rob the place. Although, that had never happened. However, somebody did walk through the door. And Cyrus wasn't sure he could even speak.

Was it him? Really him? Cyrus couldn't remember the last time he saw Mel alive. Even when they were younger not once had they ever actually spoken to each other. He couldn't say he actually knew his cousin. Maybe he was wrong. Just had to be, but he couldn't stop staring. 

"Got any pizza?" The stranger asked.

"Uh, I could put one on," Cyrus said the ovens were hot enough. He was ready to take his order. 

"Just sausage and mushroom," he looked around the place. "I haven't been here in ages." He drew a scowl as if the place was worse off than ever.

His hands were in the pockets of his tan chinos. He looked around the empty place. He looked a bit of a slob in his moody Hawaiian shirt and was unshaven.

Cyrus went to make the pizza.

"You guys ever have any live music in the place?" He asked.

"Huh?" Cyrus got back to the cash register. The stranger paid with cash.

"No live music, I take it?" He seemed as if it was a must.

"Maybe soon," Cyrus nodded. Of course, it was news to him, but the guy was right, there was a little stage in the corner. "It's still mostly takeout."

"Figured as much." The guy gave him a nod. Nothing more was said. He took his pizza and left.