Morning Coffee

January 16th, 2024

Jeanette walked into the house, setting her bag down on a chair. Jeanette combed her fingers through her hair and walked toward the bedroom.

Inside, Tony was sleeping. Jeanette walked toward him, sitting on the bed next to him. “Tony? Tony, wake up! Work starts in an hour.” She looked out the window, watching the sun rise.

“Why,” Tony mumbled, turning over. Jeanette giggled and replied, “Work, Tony. Remember? Come on, you have a meeting!”

Tony groaned and rolled onto his back, looking up sleepily at Jeanette. He had a smile on his lips. “Alright, fine. Can you make me some coffee?”

Jeanette nodded and stood. “Get up! Do you want sugar?”

“Yup. Oh, and a little bit of that, like, peppermint thingie?”

“Okay,” Jeanette responded, laughing.

She walked out of the bedroom.

;

Tony got up, sliding his legs out of the blanket and stepping onto the carpet. He could hear the coffee maker whirring as Jeanette made him coffee. Tony smiled and walked to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Tony walked into the kitchen wearing his suit and combing his hair. “Good morning!”

Jeanette smiled and passed the mug across the bar. “How was your sleep?”

“Good, really good. How was work?”

“Work was okay. London, that nurse with Doctor Senry, was being rude again, but it’s all good.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll get better. You’ve only been there three months! Give it some time,” Tony advised, taking a sip of his coffee. “Oh, this is good.”

“Awesome,” Jeanette responded, laughing again and sipping her own.

“Well, I have some time before I head to work. Want to do something?”

“Sure, what should we do?” Jeanette asked, setting her mug down.

Tony thought for a second. “Hm, we could go get breakfast at that brunch place?”

“Cool,” Jeanette said, making a thumbs-up.

;

January 25th, 2024

“Hm?”

Jeanette’s bleary eyes looked across the room, her eyes resting on a pair of blue eyes looking at her. She screamed.

Quickly, Tony turned on the lamp. “Oh my gosh, sorry! Are you good? So sorry,” he said, looking at Jeanette. “No, no, it’s fine, I’m good. You just scared me a little. Thought you were a monster,” Jeanette laughed.

Tony nodded. “Okay. Well, um, good night? Good morning? I don’t know, I'm still getting used to your schedule.”

“Yeah, me too. Well, how was work?” Jeanette asked, sitting up.

“Oh, it was good. Finally figured out that one case, which took forever. How was your sleep?”

“Pretty good. Glad your day was good,” Jeanette said.

“Well, I’ll go make you coffee,” Tony said as he stood up.

“Perfect.”

;

Tony walked toward the kitchen, turning on the coffee maker. He placed Jeanette’s favorite mug under the spout and turned on the machine, listening to the mechanical sound of grounds mixing with water and smelling the scents wafting up.

After the coffee was made, he set it on the counter. Tony then went to the fridge and took out some leftovers. He put it in the microwave and set the timer.

Jeanette walked into the kitchen. “Hey babe.”

She yawned and grabbed the coffee. “This is really good, Tony.”

“Nice,” he responded, taking out his food. “I’m eating that leftover spaghetti.”

“Cool. What time is it?”

“Uh, 6:30? I got home at 6, and you have about thirty minutes till you have to go.”

“Okay,” Jeanette responded, taking a bite of Tony’s food.

“Jean!” Tony said, laughing.

;

January 30th, 2024

Jeanette walked out of the hospital into the night. It was cold and her jacket wasn’t super strong. She walked to her car and stepped in, turning on the seat warmer. She drove out of the parking lot.

The streetlights passed by, and the stars glittered. She could just imagine Tony at home, sleeping soundly in bed. Soon, she would be making him coffee and eating breakfast and maybe they would be able to go somewhere for food.

Jeanette got to the apartment and walked up the concrete stairs. She unlocked the door and entered the apartment, breathing in the smell of the old building.

She walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. “Alright, wake up Tony!”

He groaned and smiled and looked up. “Hey, Jean.”

“Come on, it’s the big day! That lawsuit case thingie,” Jeanette said, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Right, okay. Sorry, I don’t think I’m going to be back in time to see you leave. I’ll call you,” Tony said, sitting up.

“Yeah, it’s fine. This could give you a promotion!”

Tony smiled and kissed Jeanette on the cheek back. “Alright, I’m gonna get dressed. Coffee?”

“Always.”

;

Tony drove home, eyes drifting as he imagined Jeanette at work. Life hadn’t been the same since she got her new job with new hours. It had also been a long day, and he was tired, but Tony had won the case and had a meeting with his boss tomorrow.

He arrived at the apartment and walked in, going to the bedroom. He got dressed in his sleep clothes and laid down in the bed. Jeanette wasn’t going to be home for hours.

“Oh wait,” he said, picking up his phone. He pressed video call and let it ring until she answered.

“Oh, hey Tony!”

“Hey Jean,” he said sleepily.

“So, how’d it go?” Jeanette asked excitedly.

“Well, it was a super long day, and I couldn’t focus that well…”

“Aw, sorry babe.”

“Ha, I got you! We won it!”

“Oh my gosh, yes! Good job!” Jeanette screamed, quieting down when she remembered she was in a hospital.

“Yes, I was so happy. Oh, and guess what?”

“What?”

“I have a meeting with Mr. Mallard tomorrow morning!”

“This is it! You are going to get that promotion!” Jeanette said, kissing the screen.

“Well, I’m going to go to bed. See you in the morning, Jeanette.”

“Night, Tony. See you tomorrow.”

;

February 1st, 2024

Jeanette walked across the tiles of the hospital. She was due in the ER at 1 for her shift. SHe had about 30 minutes. Suddenly, her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hey Jean.”

“Hey Tony! Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“Well, yeah, but I just keep thinking about Mr. Mallard. I hope he is okay.”

“Same. Have you called his wife?”

“No, not yet. Do you know what hospital he is at?”

“I think he is here, but I’m not sure. I can ask Sarah.”

“Okay cool.”

“What else is bothering you? I can tell something is wrong.”

“I don’t know, I just can’t help wondering what Mr. Mallard wanted to tell me. We had our meeting the day of his heart attack.”

“Yeah, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’ll ask Sarah.”

“Okay cool. Bye, Jean.”

“Bye, Tony.”

The phone call ended. Jeanette put her phone in her pocket and checked the clock. 10 minutes till her ER shift. She walked down to the area, thinking about Tony.

;

Tony laid unrested on his bed. According to the clock, Jeanette was going to be home soon. He hadn’t slept a bit. And, maybe it wasn’t out of worry for Mr. Mallard. It was more of ‘what was he going to tell me?’

Jeanette had told Tony not to think so much about it. But, the more he did, the more possibilities that were thrown in his face. Maybe he was going to give me the promotion. Maybe he was going to fire me. Put me on temporary leave. Or, maybe, he is going to give someone else my job, some young person fresh out of law school. And I’ll be demoted. Even worse.

The bedroom door creaked open. Tony shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

“Tony! Wake up,” Jeanette said, shaking his shoulders.

“Hm? Oh, hi Jean. Good morning.”

“Good morni-” Jeanette stopped. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Nothings wrong. I’m fine,” Tony lied.

“No, something is wrong. I can tell. What is it?”

“Nothing, Jean.”

Jeanette looked at him. “Tony?”

“It’s nothing, Jeanette!”

Jeanette looked hurt and then turned. “Okay. I’m going to go make you your coffee.”

Tony watched as she walked out the room.

;

February 2nd, 2024

Jeanette walked into the apartment, closing the door behind her. She could hear Tony snoring down the hall. At least he is finally sleeping.

She went into the kitchen, taking out a tinfoiled piece of chicken from the fridge. She put it in the microwave. 30 seconds later, she took it out and scarfed it down.

After finishing, Jeanette walked into the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the sleeping Tony. Cautiously, she grabbed his shoulders. “Tony? Wake up, hon.”

Slowly, Tony woke up, his eyes opening. “Hey, Jean.”

“Hey. I see you slept better tonight,” Jean said, glancing at the dark bags under his eyes.

“Oh, yeah. I’m better. I’m glad Mr. Mallard is better too.”

“Yeah, same. Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure. Sugar?”

“Okay, got it. And the peppermint?”

“Eh, not today.”

“Okay. See you in a bit,” Jeanette said, kissing him on the forehead.

;

Tony walked into the kitchen, looking at Jeanette.

“Oh, hey honey. You good?”

“Uh, yeah. Um, I just wanted to apologize for a few days ago. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. I’m just…stressed.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Um, here’s your coffee,” Jeanette responded, setting the mug on the bar.

They sat in silence for a while. Tony got an idea. “Hey, want to go to the brunch place? I have some time.”

“Uh, sure.”

;

February 4th, 2024

Jeanette woke up, her phone buzzing loudly. She reached over, checking the time. It’s 3:00.

Jeanette looked at who was calling her. The ID said ‘Tony’ with three hearts next to it. She smiled, still wondering why he was calling her in the middle of work.

“Hello?”

“Oh my gosh, Jean! Guess what!”

“Uh, what is it?” Jeanette asked, hearing the excitement in his voice.

“I got the promotion!”

“What?” Jeanette yelled, smiling.

“I know! Mallard just called me into his office, and told me I was moving up! This is exactly what we were waiting for, Jean!”

Jeanette smiled. “Yeah, definitely. I’m so happy for you Tony.”

“Thanks Jean. How about I get off early and we can go to a nice dinner before your shift tonight?”

“Actually? That would be great.”

“Alright, dress up nice!”

;

Tony got to the apartment and walked in. “Jean! I’m back!”

Jeanette answered from somewhere in the apartment. “Hey Tony!”

Tony found Jeanette standing in the living room, dressed to the nines in a green dress and black heels and gold earrings. Her hair was curled and swept back, and her eyeshadow was the same emerald as her dress.

“You look beautiful,” Tony said. Jeanette smiled and blushed. “Thanks.”

“I’m going to go get ready,” Tony said looking at the floor, blushing just as hard. He walked to the bedroom and took out his suit.

He was just putting it on when his phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hello, Mr. Tony. It’s Mallard. Hey, I know it’s short notice, but I want to take you to dinner tonight with me and the associates to celebrate your promotion!”

“Well, sir, I would love to, but I’m taking my girlfriend out to dinner-”

“Oh, come on, you can do that any other time. Take her tomorrow! Tonight could earn you a raise!”

Tony froze.

“I-sir, are you sure? I mean, I can reschedule with you-”

“No, no, we need to go tonight. Come on, Tony! It’ll only be for a little while! I’ll have you back before 10!”

“I-” Tony started, but stopped. What could he do? “Yes sir. I’ll be there soon.”

Tony slowly finished putting on his suit and walked into the living room.

“Ready to go?” Jeanette said, not noticing the sad look on his face.

“I-I can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“An…emergency at the office. I don’t have a choice. It’s mandatory, and Mr. Mallard told me to go, and-”

“No, I understand,” Jeanette said, taking out her earrings and setting them on the table.

“Jean, I’m sorry-”

“No, it’s fine. Go to the office. I took tonight off, so maybe if you get home early we can just hang at the house. Come on, go get ready,” Jeanette cut off, kissing his cheek.

“I-okay. Um, I’ll see you later. Bye, Jean,” Tony responded, walking toward the door.

;

February 5th, 2024

Jeanette sat on the couch, unsleeping. It was 3 in the morning and Tony wasn’t home. She had called his office, trying to get a hold of him. They said he wasn’t there.

Jeanette had cried off her makeup hours before, so now it was just mixed cosmetics making her look like a monster. Her dress was in a heap in the bathroom, and now Jeanette was wearing shorts and a giant hoodie. M&M’s were in a bag to her right and popcorn in a bowl to her left. The candy she had got for Tony sat unopened on the coffee table.

Suddenly, the door opened. Jeanette shot up looking hopefully. In walked Tony, swaying left and right. Jeanette ran to him and grabbed him, hugging him tight. “Where the hell were you?”

“I-Mallard took me out to dinner tonight.”

“How did you get home?”

“I…drove.”

“WHAT? You could have gotten in a wreck! You could have died! Why didn’t you ask me to come pick you up?” Jeanette yelled, looking Tony in his intoxicated eyes.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Jean. Please, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Go shower. I’m going to be in bed,” Jeanette said, turning.

;

Tony sat on the floor in the bathroom, crying. He could hear Jeanette sleeping in the next room, but he couldn’t bring himself to go to her.

“I’m so sorry,” he mumbled through tears.

Slowly, he got up and opened the bathroom door. He walked to the bed and laid down on his side. For a little he watched Jeanette before falling asleep next to her.

;

February 7th, 2024

Jeanette walked into the apartment. A half-empty mug was on the coffee table. A blanket was on the floor. A sock or two was strewn across the carpet. She bit her lip and walked into the bedroom.

“Hey, Tony. It’s time to wake up.”

Slowly, Tony woke up, but when he did and saw Jeanette, tears brimmed in his eyes.

“Jean, I-“

“No, shush. It’s fine. Get up, your not going to work today,” Jeanette said, stretching.

“What?”

“I’m taking you out. We are going to go around town.”

“But, Jean, I can’t-“

“You can miss a day of work. If you can miss date night, you can miss work. Get up. Put on some clothes. Comb your hair. I’ll be waiting in the living room,” Jeanette snapped.

Slowly, Jeanette watched as he got up.

;

Tony smiled to himself in the mirror. This was his chance to make everything up.

He walked out of the bathroom and walked to the livin room, passing through the kitchen. Just as he stepped through the threshold, he noticed a mug of coffee on the bar. It had a note next to it, saying For You. Tony smiled and took the mug.

Jeanette was waiting on the couch, wearing jeans and a white shirt. She had her hair slicked back into a ponytail and gold earrings hanging from her ears. The same ones she was going to wear to our date, Tony thought with a pang.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“Thanks,” Jeanette said, smiling.

“Well, let’s go,” Tony said.

;

February 9th, 2024

Jeanette got home and walked into the living room. She sat on the couch and looked at the pictures from two days before, when she and Tony had spent a day out. Some of the pictures included: walking in the park, eating sushi, buying a stuffed clam (which they named Shelly), Tony falling into a water fountain, Jeanette falling asleep at the subway, and more. They had a good time.

Jeanette walked to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. “Tony?”

“Hm?”

“Wake up, Tony.”

“Why?”

“You have work, hon.”

“But Jean…”

“Come on, get up Tony.”

“Fine.”

;

“Are you sure?”

“Yes sir.”

Mr. Mallard looked at him disbelievingly. “Really? But, this is your dream job, you’ve worked so hard-“

“Yes, sir, but I need to figure out my life. I haven’t spent much time with my girlfriend. This job had caused a rift in our relationship”

“I-okay. Well, it was nice working with you, Tony.”

“You too, sir.”

;

February 14th, 2024

Jeanette sat on the couch next to Tony, watching a movie and eating popcorn.

“This is great, Tony,” Jeanette said, smiling at him.

Tony smiled back.

They sit in silence, watching the movie.

Tony keeps drifting, thinking about how he will find a new job. But, he doesn’t think too much about it. He looks at Jeanette.

Jeanette looks back at him. “By the way, I have a Valentine's gift for you.”

“What? Me too!” Tony responds, laughing.

Jeanette laughs back and says “I’ll be right back.”

She walks into the bedroom and Tony reaches behind the couch.

Jeanette comes back in, holding something behind her back. Sitting down, she says “You first.”

Tony laughs and holds out a small box. Jeanette holds it and opens it, smiling when she sees the gold necklace with a heart and ‘forever’ engraved.

“I couldn’t get much, but-“

“This is perfect, Tony,” Jeanette interrupts, smiling.

“Your turn.”

Jeanette holds out the first thing, a little green and brown woven bracelet with a silver clasp. “For you,” Jeanette says, sliding it on his wrist.

“And…” she finishes, holding out a box of chocolates. Written on the top in silver, looping writing is Love.

“I…I want this again. For the both of us.”

“Me too,” Tony responds, smiling.