He looks up and the smile grows and he repeats what I didn't think I heard correctly the first time. "Beanbags. This is genius."
"Right?" Duncan comments as he pulls back out into traffic. "Way more comfortable than traditional seating."
Paxton wiggles around in his seat as if to prove the point. "Way more comfortable," he agrees.
The ride to Grant doesn't take long. The conversation is easy between the three of us and before I know it we're parked in front of a coffee shop.
Duncan kills the engine. "Keller won't be home from Stella's ballet practice for another half hour, so we've got a little time to kill. Come on in. I'll buy you guys a cup of coffee."
"I could use some caffeine this morning. Thanks." I don't know if I'm tired because I didn't sleep much last night, or if it's the adrenaline I've been cranked up on all morning that's dragging me down. Either way, I need caffeine.
When Duncan pushes the oversized wooden door open, a bell rings. It's loud and it startles me. "What the hell?" I didn't mean to say that out loud, but Duncan laughs good-naturedly.
"Small town Minnesotans kind of have a thing for bells." He shrugs.
I'm laughing now. It's stunned laughter, because it's impossible that small bell made that much noise. I point to my right ear. "I'm deaf in this ear and I'm pretty sure that registered."
He chuckles by way of introduction. "Welcome to Grounds."
It's cozy. There's a small loveseat sitting in front of fireplace that I bet is great during the winter, and a few small tables and chairs. The building is old and has character. It's inviting. It's the kind of place that makes you want to sit down and hang out. "Cool place."
Duncan nods. "Yeah, it is. Home away from home. Keller works here early mornings and he and Stella live in the room out back."
"Duncan, I see you brought friends." A friendly voice with a thick accent calls out and draws my attention to the man behind the counter.
"Rome, how goes it today?"
The man behind the counter salutes Duncan before he responds. "I am well. And you?"
"Livin' the dream, man. Livin' the dream." And when he says it, I get the idea that he means it. Some people are just so sincere that it's the first thing you notice when you meet them. That's Duncan. He's just a really nice guy. "These are my new friends, Scout and Paxton. They're visiting from California."
"Ah, California. Beautiful. You must be Keller's friends. He said he had company coming in today. I'm Romero."
"It's nice to meet you, Romero. Yeah, we're just here for the concert tonight," I offer.
"Of course. Keller mentioned it. Kate's friend's band, yes?" He's looking at Duncan for confirmation.
He nods. "Yup, they're good, man. You should come check 'em out with us."
Romero smiles sheepishly. "I'm too old for that, niño. But I've heard them. Keller played me some songs. Kate was singing and playing violin. She was something, wasn't she? One of a kind, that girl. Such a tragedy."
Every time someone says something about Kate, it makes me wish I could've known her. So much love surrounds her memory and those that knew her have nothing but the most positive things to say about her. I know her friendship is one of the reasons Gus is the man he is, and for that I couldn't be more grateful.
Duncan nods. "She was. And she had Keller's heart."
Romero smiles lovingly. "That girl changed Keller. Woke him up. I'm so proud of him." He sounds like a father.
Duncan agrees, and it's so nice to hear people supportive of their friends. "Me too, Rome." Duncan looks at us. "Pick your poison. I'm paying. Rome's got the best coffee around. House blend's legendary."
I order a small house blend while Paxton looks over the menu. He settles on a mocha macchiato and looks blissfully happy while he's drinking it. We aren't seated on the loveseat long before Stella comes bounding in from behind the counter. "Where's Gus?" she calls out.
I turn and she's scanning the busy coffee shop. "Hi, Stella. He's not here yet. Soon though."
She runs over and, after she high fives Duncan, crawls up in my lap. "Hi, Scout."
God, she's the cutest little thing I've ever seen. "Hi, Stella. How was ballet?" She's still wearing her pale pink tights and leotard.
"Miss Toler was kind of a grumpy gorilla today because Amy and Ashley didn't have their listening ears on. Again." She rolls her eyes. "It's so much easier for all of us when they just do what they're told."
Duncan's smirking and trying to hold back laughter. "The twins being naughty again, huh?"
It's like watching an adult trapped in a little person's body. "They're so frustrating, Uncle Duncan. I wish they'd just grow up already."
He's still smirking, but he matches her serious tone. "There's always a stinky one in every bunch, Stella. Sometimes two. That's life, big girl. Welcome to the real world."
"Stinky people suck," she mutters as she crawls back down off my lap and takes my hand. "Let's go see Miss Higgins."
I follow her behind the counter and through a door, with Paxton and Duncan trailing after us. Keller's place is on the other side. It's small, but it's homey.
Keller welcomes us with a wave when we walk through the door; he's talking on his phone.
After I meet Miss Higgins and Keller finishes up his phone call, Gus texts me. We're about 20 minutes away. Meet us at the auditorium?
I know I saw him only six days ago, but my heart's already racing in my chest thinking about being near him. I answer: Will do.
Gus: I love you.
Scout: I love you too.
I ride with Keller in his car and Stella and Paxton ride with Duncan in the Suburban. And when the bus pulls into the lot I don't know who's more excited to see Gus: me, Stella, Paxton, or Keller.
He's the first one off the bus and Stella is right there to greet him. Seeing him with her in his arms warms my heart. Kids love him and he's so good with them. He's gentle and kind, they gravitate to him. He'll be the best dad someday.
After he sets Stella down, he hugs Paxton. I'm close enough that I can hear part of their conversation. "I've been talking to your dad, dude. I know he's not perfect, but he loves you. You need to talk to him. Hear him out. He knows he fucked up."