penetrating gaze.
“I swear to God, you have a future as a news reporter or a lawyer.”
“Don’t change the subject. I’m tired of doing this. I hate flyi ng. Especially at Christmas.”
“So do I.”
“So make up with her…”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes it is. Just say that you’re sorry.”
“I wish it were that simple.”
“It is that simple!”
Brant closed his eyes as the conversation played out in his head. He spoke in a longing voice that was so full of worry and inflection.
“If only it were that simple.”
Chapter Four
Matchmaker
Brant could recall the very moment he first laid eyes on Holly McCarron. It was in the fall of ’99. He was working at the Pour House Coffee Shop in Rittenhouse Square to help pay his share of the rent for the off-campus row house he shared with his five roommates on South Street. He inhabited a tiny third floor bedroom that was just large enough for a bed and a TV stand, but he was supporting himself and he was happy. While his other roommates could rely on their parents for financial support, Brant was on his own. Having come from nothing, he wasn’t afraid of a little hard work.
Working as a barista at the Pour House wasn’t the worst way to make a living as a college student. He worked the Tuesday and Thursday day shifts, and after the morning rush had calmed, he could chat with his favorite customers and even catch up on his coursework when no one was watching.
September the seventh was the first day of term and the city was packed with students, shoppers, nannies pushing babies in strollers, and professionals rushing off to their morning meetings. Brant already had a pounding headache from a flock of freshman girls who insisted upon cackling by the front counter for over a half hour. Brant shooed them away like a swarm of annoying flies as he took an order over to one of his favorite customers: Marv McCarron.
Marv came in at the same time everyday, at 9:15 A.M., and always ordered the same thing: black coffee and a raisin bagel. When the shop wasn’t busy, Marv insisted that Brant sit with him while he read the morning paper so that he had someone to discuss current events with. Brant wasn’t sure how old Marv was, but he had definitely encountered more winters than he was leading on to. As the morning crowd dispersed, Brant made his way over to Marv’s table with his order, fully prepared to discuss the latest news topics.
“Take a seat, fella…”
“How’s it going today, Marv?”
“Great. Just great. I’m expecting company t’day…”
“Company? Hot date?” said Brant with a snicker.
Suddenly the bell over the front door rang loudly, and Brant couldn’t take his eyes off of the curvaceous blonde that had just walked through the door. Marv had spotted her as well, and was now standing at his table waving the girl over.
Feisty old fella, isn’t he?
“There’s my girl!” Marv called to the blonde who smiled warmly back at him. Brant stared at Marv and back at the blonde then back at Marv and scratched his head in confusion. The young woman was a natural beauty with golden waves just past her shoulders. Her hair fell gently over her jean jacket. Brant thought he could hear Marv’s bones creak as he greeted his companion. The girl kissed his cheek in return.
“Hey, Marv… Uh… Who’s your friend?”
Marv gave Brant a perplexed look.
“Friend? She’s no friend… Don’t you remember me mentioning my daughter, Holly?”
Brant did a double take. All the photos that Marv had showed him of his daughter showed a younger girl with pimples and braces, with her hair in messy pigtails. What he saw before him was anything but.
“Oh, right… Holly…”
Brant wiped his hand off on his apron before reaching to shake her hand. She had a strong grip for a girl. Holly smiled at him politely
“I swear to God, you have a future as a news reporter or a lawyer.”
“Don’t change the subject. I’m tired of doing this. I hate flyi ng. Especially at Christmas.”
“So do I.”
“So make up with her…”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes it is. Just say that you’re sorry.”
“I wish it were that simple.”
“It is that simple!”
Brant closed his eyes as the conversation played out in his head. He spoke in a longing voice that was so full of worry and inflection.
“If only it were that simple.”
Chapter Four
Matchmaker
Brant could recall the very moment he first laid eyes on Holly McCarron. It was in the fall of ’99. He was working at the Pour House Coffee Shop in Rittenhouse Square to help pay his share of the rent for the off-campus row house he shared with his five roommates on South Street. He inhabited a tiny third floor bedroom that was just large enough for a bed and a TV stand, but he was supporting himself and he was happy. While his other roommates could rely on their parents for financial support, Brant was on his own. Having come from nothing, he wasn’t afraid of a little hard work.
Working as a barista at the Pour House wasn’t the worst way to make a living as a college student. He worked the Tuesday and Thursday day shifts, and after the morning rush had calmed, he could chat with his favorite customers and even catch up on his coursework when no one was watching.
September the seventh was the first day of term and the city was packed with students, shoppers, nannies pushing babies in strollers, and professionals rushing off to their morning meetings. Brant already had a pounding headache from a flock of freshman girls who insisted upon cackling by the front counter for over a half hour. Brant shooed them away like a swarm of annoying flies as he took an order over to one of his favorite customers: Marv McCarron.
Marv came in at the same time everyday, at 9:15 A.M., and always ordered the same thing: black coffee and a raisin bagel. When the shop wasn’t busy, Marv insisted that Brant sit with him while he read the morning paper so that he had someone to discuss current events with. Brant wasn’t sure how old Marv was, but he had definitely encountered more winters than he was leading on to. As the morning crowd dispersed, Brant made his way over to Marv’s table with his order, fully prepared to discuss the latest news topics.
“Take a seat, fella…”
“How’s it going today, Marv?”
“Great. Just great. I’m expecting company t’day…”
“Company? Hot date?” said Brant with a snicker.
Suddenly the bell over the front door rang loudly, and Brant couldn’t take his eyes off of the curvaceous blonde that had just walked through the door. Marv had spotted her as well, and was now standing at his table waving the girl over.
Feisty old fella, isn’t he?
“There’s my girl!” Marv called to the blonde who smiled warmly back at him. Brant stared at Marv and back at the blonde then back at Marv and scratched his head in confusion. The young woman was a natural beauty with golden waves just past her shoulders. Her hair fell gently over her jean jacket. Brant thought he could hear Marv’s bones creak as he greeted his companion. The girl kissed his cheek in return.
“Hey, Marv… Uh… Who’s your friend?”
Marv gave Brant a perplexed look.
“Friend? She’s no friend… Don’t you remember me mentioning my daughter, Holly?”
Brant did a double take. All the photos that Marv had showed him of his daughter showed a younger girl with pimples and braces, with her hair in messy pigtails. What he saw before him was anything but.
“Oh, right… Holly…”
Brant wiped his hand off on his apron before reaching to shake her hand. She had a strong grip for a girl. Holly smiled at him politely
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