Living with a Double-Edged Sword

Alright, story #3!! After months of writer's block and failing to finish three stories, this one came to me. I wanted to put it in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, but it's a romance through and through. There are also references here and there that I hope you'll catch. All in all, I had a lot of fun writing this; it came out organically. I'm glad I didn't have to force myself to finish. Hopefully I do it justice, and as always your feedback is appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Fair warning, this story is a long one.

*****

It was a cold, cold Monday. Well, cold for California that is. It was in the low 50s, high 40s (Fahrenheit) and Ray wasn't looking forward to opening Nancy's. Nancy's was a small coffee shop by the local college in town and today marked his third year working there. It was casual, comfortable, and quiet. That's the reason why the students loved it. Plus, Nancy put her charm and love in the place and everyone loved her for it.

It scared him as to how fast time flew him by. Now, at 22 years old, he was feeling like he didn't really have much going for him. His Nanay (Tagalog for mom) was already on his ass for making the choice of not going to college, but he was happy. He never really wanted to get a desk job, and school wasn't for him. He respected the people that forced and/or enjoyed themselves to spend hours on end to get a piece of paper that enabled them to get the high level jobs they wanted. He'd originally wanted to do something like that, but even when he applied himself in his studies, he'd still do average at best. It was more than disheartening. But as of now, he was happy with where he was. He was making enough to keep his apartment and he had a shitty 1989 Sterling that he bought with cash. It had more problems, but it was worth the couple hundred bucks he'd paid for it; as long as it was able to bring him from point A to point B, he couldn't and didn't complain.

After the casual drive that took less that 10 minutes, he was already at Nancy's. He was glad he got to park in the spot marked for "Nancy's." The cold was wrapping itself around him and he couldn't help but shiver. He was used to the casual 70s and high 80s-90s that was the norm in California. This time, he shivered as he saw the crowd that was starting to form outside. "Shit," he thought. It was barely seven in the morning and the kids were already out waiting for the drink(s) that helped them function. Ray was fumbling with his key for the shop and he couldn't help but overhear, "Finally! About time they open this shit up! How hard is it to be here on time?"

Ray wasn't a confrontational person, but he couldn't help but feel the anger seep through him. But he knew better than to call out a customer. Nancy would throw a fit, and then no one would be happy. Thankfully, he didn't have to say much as he heard a woman say, "Hey, cut the guy some slack! It's not even opening time. Plus, I'd wait as long as I have to if I can get one of Ray's specials." With a smirk that he failed to hide, Ray opened up shop and turned towards the line of cold people, "Alright, everyone. I'm gonna need a couple minutes of your time. Nancy usually doesn't let me do this, but since it's cold as balls I'll let y'all in. At least it'll be warm in here. Form a line and keep to yourselves. Thanks."

The thing that Ray was proud of was his efficiency at Nancy's. He got everything ready and he couldn't wait to hear the contented sighs after people drank his signature cup of Joe. Nancy was surprised as to how he made his coffee and the reception it got that she made his drink an item on her menu. It was called a "Ray's Special." Nancy did say that he made it with some sort of "love" and that was why it was in demand so who was he to argue? He couldn't really dispute that fact. The sole reason he made it was to see the smiles on everyone's faces as they let the warmth and the flavors overwhelm them.

Before he knew it, the line was reaching its end and he wasn't paying much attention 'til he heard her voice. "Hey, sorry about the asshole this morning! I'm glad I got him to shut up; he didn't have to talk down to you like that."

Right as Ray looked into her eyes, he was a goner. Her hazel eyes held his and her smile rendered him useless. He had no thoughts whatsoever. He got a good look at her. She was 5'6, had luscious brown locks that ended at her shoulders, and that smile..But flashbacks of the past came back and his defenses were back. "Oh..I didn't thank you for that, did I? Thank you."

Her smile grew a bit bigger, which he didn't think was possible and she asked for his special. "Coming right up." As he handed her her cup, her hand touched his and he was expecting the sparks, but he just shivered. His ex was almost as pretty as her and she'd broken his heart. More like, she'd stolen all that she could from him and he was left with barely any pieces to put back together. After that, he'd sworn off getting close to anyone. He could tell that she wanted to say something else, but thankfully the girl behind her coughed and she moved over to a chair.

Nothing else happened 'til it was lunch and Nancy herself made her way in. She spotted him eating his lunch and invaded his space, "Hey, Ray! How're we doing today?" Right as he was about to finish his sandwich, she came up behind him and lifted him up and whirled him around. It still surprised him to this day how Nancy could do that at 5'4, weighing about 120 lbs. He was 5'9 and weighed 165 lbs. But, she did and sadly, his sandwich sailed in the air and miraculously made its way into the trash.

"Ooohh, sorry 'bout that. Have a muffin, on me!" She ended up laughing her way into her office.

With a short laugh, Ray could only nod. This was Nancy. She was enigmatic, loud, and never acted her age. But he loved her like family.

The day they met started to play in his mind; it was and still is a fond memory. Back when he was 18, almost 19 years old, he was applying to basically anywhere. His Nanay was adamant about him getting a new job after he'd lost his at the Mom and Pop Superstore. He and his Nanay were going through some things and that never worked out with his work schedule. Thankfully, Mom and Pop never held any bad blood towards him, but had to let him go.

He was at the crosswalk with copies of his resume making his way passed the college when he saw a lady having an argument with the person on her phone. She was very animated and was getting louder by the minute. What she wasn't doing, was paying attention to her surroundings. They were on opposite sides of the crosswalk and she was walking at a brisk pace. Right as she moved passed the light, he saw the Ford F-150 coming. It was going 45+ mph and he saw that the driver wasn't paying attention either. Texting, while driving. Asshole. He couldn't not help her, right? So, he did the one thing he could. He yelled, "Look out!" and teleported behind her and thankfully had enough time to push them into the other side of the street.

"Hey, what was that for asshole?!" and he looked up into the red, teary eyes of the lady whose life he'd just saved. Before he could even get a word out of his mouth, she saw the truck barrel its way through the red light and her eyes widened in shock. Ray came out with scuffs on his jeans and she got a small cut on her knee. He was up first and lent her his hand, "You alright?" With a quick nod, "Yeah, you saved my life, huh?"

He nodded back. It was a risk in of itself to do what he just did. He quickly scanned his surroundings and was more than thankful that there wasn't anyone around to catch him in the act. He bent down to pick up the now crumpled copies of his resumes before she could get another word in. She actually bent down to help when she saw what was on the paper. "Ray..Aguilar? You applying to places?"

"Sadly, yes. I just lost my job at Mom's and Pops' Superstore. So, I'm on the grind, I guess."

"Well, lucky for you, I'm looking for someone to man the counter at my shop. You're hired."

He couldn't help but give the older lady a double take. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me; you're looking for a job and I'm offering one to you. Can you make coffee?"

"Umm..yes? Although I don't know if it's good or not. My Nanay loves it though."

"Your Nay-Nay? Wha-"

"Ah, sorry. It's pronounced Nah-Nahy and it's Tagalog for mom. I'm Filipino, so it slips out every now and again."

"Well, tell your Nay-Nay you got a job over at.." she pointed at "Nancy's" all lit up next to a small, but cute cup of coffee. "I'll see you tomorrow at 0700."

"I..uh-"

"No thanks are necessary, young man!"

And with that, she was off. Fast forward an hour later as he finally beat the traffic and made his way home, he was more than excited to give his mom the good news. "Nanay! I got a job!"

"That's good, anak (Tagalog for son and/or daughter)! I'm so happy!"

Before he even entered the threshold of his mom's place, she took one look at him and frowned almost immediately. "Anak..what happened to your pants? Didn't you just get them a couple days ago?"

Ray, being the amazing son that he was, tried to lie his way out. "Oh, I wasn't paying attention at the crosswalk close to the campus and I tripped.."

"Mhm...1, 2.."

Even at 18 years old, hearing his mom count still scared him. He knew she couldn't and wouldn't do anything, but the lessons she taught him as a kid still triggered something and he couldn't help but tell her the truth.

"Listen, Nanay, don't get mad..but-"

"Don't get mad? Mad about what?"

"Well, I-"

"You what?!"

"Nanay, let me speak." The silence that followed was worse than anything that she could do to him. The yelling, he preferred. If there was anything he hated to do, it was disappointing her that killed him. With a sigh of reservation, "I used 'it.'"

Ray could've sworn his Nanay's eyes should've popped out with how big they got. He could already see the veins in her neck tense as he prepared for the verbal assault that was sure to come his way. But the thing that surprised him the most was how she immediately calmed down and just turned away. "Fuck," he thought to himself. Now he'd done it.

"Nanay, I-"

"Anak, you know how I feel about you..doing whatever it is that you do."

"I had to, she would've died if I didn't."

That got her to turn back around. If there was anything she was proud of, it was her son's morality behind the usage of his powers. They knew what people would think of him. They knew would could happen to him. So he swore to never use it. But..this was the fourth time in almost three months. Nonetheless, she was proud of her son. He was an hero in her eyes and she would bring that secret to her grave.

"What happened?"

Ray quickly told her of the events that transpired and he was hoping that he hadn't made her too mad.

"This is the fourth time, Ana-"

"I know. I know I shouldn't use it, but I couldn't help it. Plus, I got a job out of it. Isn't that a good thing? For once, using my pow-"

Whenever he'd mention the "p word" his Nanay would always make her trademark "Ssst!" sound. That shut him up as a kid and it still shut him up now.

"I'm glad you got the job. Now, quiet and let's eat."

"Yes, Nanay."

A couple of hours later and he was in bed. He was excited, but apprehensive about his new "job," if he could even call it that. With everything going on in his life, he was just hoping to have something stable.

His annoying ass alarm got him up at 6 and he was out of the house by 6:25. Just enough time to show up to Nancy's on time. At 6:48, he slowly made his way over to the door when it immediately opened and he couldn't help but scream in indignation.

He recovered and brought his face up to the face of the older lady from yesterday with a red face and a smile. As everything was registering for him, she belted out the laughter she'd held in for so long and started crying. Ray could only stand in silence as his new employer just played a joke on him.

"I got you good!"

"Yeah, you di-"

If anything, her laughter intensified and soon she was on the ground clutching her ribs for dear life. He still stood there awkwardly 'til she finally found the strength to get up.

"Alright, enough of that! Newbie!"

"Yes?"

"Follow me!"

They got inside and she finally introduced herself as, Nancy Williams. Surprisingly, she was the illustrious Nancy and the shop was named after and for her. She then brought him to the counter and got him "situated" with everything. His head was whirling, trying to remember everything to the tee and right as they got to her office, she took a good look at him. He'd dressed in a casual, grey collared shirt, with his black dickie's pants, and black work shoes. "Yeah..lose the shirt and put this on, and if you have any running shoes, I'd suggest putting 'em on. You're the only help so you're gonna be walking and moving a fuckton; I also need you 'til 9, is that cool?"

"Yes ma'am! I also got a change of clothes in my car, I'll be back in 5!"

She nodded and he was off. He knew he shouldn't, but he had to do good on the first day and it was a 5-10 minute walk to the car at the least. As he got out of the doors, he saw the line of people and thought, "Well..shit. So much for running."

So, he did the only thing that he could. He made a right, walked into the creepy ass alley and teleported into the parking structure. Thankfully no one was there and he changed as quick as he could. He took a deep breath and was in the creepy alley again. That was twice in one day, and three times for that week. Not a good start. The thing about his teleportation was that he had a limit. He'd never reached it, but every time he used it, he'd get fatigued. And it only got worse the more he used it. So he was really feeling it. But he made the most of his situation and he worked his ass off. Thankfully, nothing went wrong and Nancy had a big smile as it was nearing closing time.

"So newbie, how was it? Think you can dedicate yourself to making cups of coffee and serving people in my fine little cafe?"

With a mock salute he yelled, "Yes! Ma'am!"

Nancy smirked, "Alright, smartass, help me clean up. And after you're done, get back here for the week at 7 sharp. We open at 7 everyday 'cept Sundays. That's a rest day. We open at 9 then and close at 6-7 depending on how I'm feeling. Every other day we close at 9. That good?"

"Sounds good. Thanks again; for the job and all. I'm glad to be here."

"Nah, kid. I should be thanking you. You're helping me during a tough time. Plus, you saved my ass yesterday. Don't think I've forgotten that."

"It was my pleasure. I just wish that dumbass knew how to drive."

Nancy laughed at that. He enjoyed it when she did. The days stretched into weeks, those weeks turned into months, and here he was a couple of years later. She'd been there for him when times were tough and they'd basically become family. Nancy was the aunt he'd never had but always wanted. He guessed that they'd gotten so close because he was like the son she never had but always wanted. She'd always said that to him. She even gave him the one compliment she'd never given anyone else. Her late husband, Ben would've loved him too. It meant the world to him. He'd graduated from calling her Nancy to Nan. And that's how things were. It'd been awhile since he'd even used "it."

Sadly, all good things do come to an end. And they ended whenever "she" would come in to the store. The beautiful rays of sunshine she exuded. The smile that practically made him brain dead. The look in her eyes that always wanted more but always waited for him to make that first move and was content with that. He hated seeing her; but loved it when she kept coming back. It was more than confusing.

What's worse is that Nancy noticed how he reacted whenever "she" would come in. He hated how a woman he didn't even know could and did have this much of an influence on him. It was a late night, when Nancy brought it up.

"'Ey!"

He was quietly washing the dishes so he calmly placed them down and asked with an eyebrow raised, "Hmm? What's up Nan?"

"Why does whatsherface make you all tense?"

"I-I don't know what-"

"Kid, don't even try to BS me. I was writing the book on the art of it before you were even born."

Ray closed his eyes and tried to hold his shudder back. "She reminds me of someone I knew."

"Ohh..now we're getting into it."

"Aw, c'mon Nan! Is now really the time to go all psychoanalytical on me?!"

With her hands up, she defended herself, "Easy, easy kid. I'm just trying to figure out why you keep giving her the cold shoulder. She seems nice, I don't know why she keeps on insisting on seeing you but she does. She's a good kid. I've seen her for quite awhile and she's does nothing but study since she's been going to the college. Give her a chance, kid."

"I-I don't know, Nan. I thought I'd given up on shit like that.."

"Look, you're what, 20? Get over it, find a nice girl that really and truly cares for you and you're good! You can't just keep up the walls forever. Trust me, you're better off letting some people in. I mean..look what happened with you and me! We're practically two peas in a pod."

He couldn't help but smile at her wisecracking. This was how she showed her..affection. "You're right Nan. I'll try to keep an open mind. We good?"

"I'm good, I dunno about you kid. See you tomorrow."

And with that, she was gone. Back in her office, doing whatever the hell she did in her free time.

The next morning, anyone could see Ray's usual "sunny" disposition was definitely off-kilter. There was something off about him. And Nancy could only watch with glee as mystery girl made her way over to him.

"Hi! I'd like the special please!"

Again, Ray was drawing a blank and lost himself in her eyes.

"Umm..everything okay?"

He shook himself back to reality and said, "Oh! Sorry about that..I was spacing out. The special, right?"

Mystery girl grinned, "Mhm!"

She handed him $5 and he gave her the change. She moved to the side and patiently waited for the cup of coffee she had to have. Not only did she get to see Ray, but she got to have his special coffee. She was never a coffee person, but once she heard about the handsome new guy at the shop that made a damn good cup of coffee, she decided to see him for herself. Thankfully, she was not disappointed. Ray stood at 5'9 and had brown eyes that we always clouded with his thoughts. He was fit, had nice hair, and was nice to anyone and everyone as long as they were nice back. But, he was a mystery. Many women had tried to get close and failed. She was hoping that she'd be different. Time came and went, and she still came up empty. So, she settled for getting his special coffee and their small talks. From what Nancy told her, she was making a dent. She hoped she was.

A few days later, as Ray was making his way to open Nancy's, he saw "her." She was walking towards the shop and wasn't being mindful of her surroundings. It had rained the day before and the side she was walking on was more slippery than the others. Ray could only watch and swore that everything went into slow motion. He could practically see her right foot touch down on the ground wrong and see her balance shift. For once, he didn't even consciously act on it. Instinct took over. The next thing he knew, he was right next to her, having caught her. Only one thing went through his mind, "Fuck..."

Mystery girl wasn't in the right place, mentally. Today was the day that she was going to ask Ray out. Her patience was wearing thin. After everything, she took all of the resolve she had and tried to put it outward. She wanted to exude the confidence she wished she had. But, all that focus was for naught as she saw him walking her way and practically lost her footing. The weird thing is that they were on opposite sides and right as she felt the humiliation of slipping in front of him, he was right there. It all happened in an instant. She was dumbfounded.