3) Breakfast with a Side of Curiousity

The cafe was called Millie's. Spi knew this because the cracked neon sign in the window said so, though the M was out so it looked more like illie's.

She pushed open the door. A bell jingled and the scent of breakfast wafted into her nostrils. Bacon, fresh coffee, and something sweet she couldn't name.  Her mouth watered as half a dozen heads turned, then turned back. Small town reflexes.

Spi slid onto a worn red vinyl stool at the counter and smiled at the waitress.  Lillie, said her name tag.

“Hi Lillie,” said Spi brightly.  Love the name!  Lillie cracked a smile.  “I’m Millie’s sister,” she said.  My parents must have had a fondness for “illies” because we’re Millie, Lillie, Billie, Jillie and George.  Don’t ask,” she said wryly, still grinning.

“Coffee?” Lillie asked?  Spi nodded and Lillie was back in a flash with a steaming cup of coffee and a menu.  “Cream?” Spi shook her head.  “Butter please,” she said.

Lillie’s eyebrow shot up.  “Well that’s a new one! You from California?” “Something like that,” Spi smiled slightly as she scanned the menu.  

After a moment Spi turned to Lillie, “Everything looks delicious and I just can’t decide!  What does everybody love here?"

Lillie raised an eyebrow. "You want the bacon and eggs or you want to be adventurous?"

"Adventurous."

"Good answer." Lillie winked. 

Spi sipped her coffee and looked around the cafe.  There was a man sitting at the counter two stools away. Late twenties. Would have been handsome if his shoulders weren’t hunched over and his grey eyes didn’t look so tired.  He nodded a perfunctory hello before turning back to stare at his tablet. 

"Long morning?”

He looked up, surprised she'd spoken. "Sorry. Yeah. Just – work stuff." He rubbed his face and extended his hand. "I'm Adam.”

Remembering the handshake is a customary greeting in this world, she grasped his hand and shook it, firmly.  

"Spi."

"Spy? Like secret agent?"

"Now wouldn’t that be fun! “Spi quipped!  But nah… Spi, as in Spi Ralyn. It’s a family name.” 

Adam nodded, not really listening. He ordered black coffee and stared at his tablet.

Lillie set down a plate in front of Spi: eggs, hash browns, toast, and a pile of something that looked like sausage but brighter orange. "Millie's special scramble. Don't ask what's in it. Just eat."

Spi took a bite. Her eyes widened. "This is wonderful!"

Tiny victory on Lillie’s face.

Spi ate slowly, thoroughly enjoying each bite. Beside her, Adam kept scrolling, muttering. "Late again. Budget's shot. Can't catch a break."

Spi set down her fork and turned to face him.  As he glanced over she caught his gaze and held him captive with her eyes. "Can I tell you something strange?" 

"Sure,” Adam said slowly, feeling uneasy but unable to look away. “I'm not doing anything productive anyway."

"Earlier today, I realized I hadn't had breakfast and I didn't have any money. So I just thought ‘breakfast, paid for’ and a twenty-dollar bill appeared on the sidewalk."

Adam stared. "You found twenty bucks."

"I found twenty bucks exactly when I needed it."

"That's called luck."

"Is it?" Spi tilted her head. "Or did I expect to find it, and so I did?"

Adam laughed, but it was a tired laugh. "You're saying thinking about money makes money appear?"

"No," Spi said gently. "I'm saying that when you stop fighting the current and just assume things will work out, they often do. Not because of magic. Because you stop wasting energy on worry and start noticing opportunities."

Adam was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "My grandmother used to say something like that. 'Worry is a prayer for bad news.'"

Spi grinned. "I like your grandmother."

Lillie came back with the check. Spi looked at the total: $13.50. She reached into her pocket, pulled out the twenty, and laid it on the counter. "Keep the change," she said.

Lillie’s weathered face softened. "You sure, hon? That's a six-dollar tip."

"You earned it. The scramble was adventurous and delicious!"

Adam watched her. "You're not from around here."

"No," Spi said, sliding off the stool. "But I'm learning."

She paused at the door and looked back. "Adam? That budget thing. Try assuming it'll work out for five minutes. Just five. See what happens."

Then she walked out into the morning, leaving him sitting there with his coffee and a thought he couldn't shake.