hey jude

“Has anyone thrown anything at you out anger?” It was a ridiculous question, but West wouldn’t be that surprised if it had actually happened. Maybe not about donuts, but about any other precious item that someone craved and couldn’t find at the store. He nodded as he heard the guy’s recommendation. “But what if the fun is inside? You could be surprised with what you find. Or disappointed if you just pick the colorful fun ones.” He countered with a wink and finished unloading his stuff. 

“Not at me,” Jude said with a laugh, “I’ve had customers get really angry at me, and as much I would like to fight back, I need to pay bills. So, the customer-service version of Jude is always present here. The cute face helps, though.” Shrugging, Jude thought for a moment. “Guess I’d have to try it out and see what’s so fun about it. What boring-looking donuts am I missing out on?” he asked, grinning at him. 

Dante had told him that this place would be expensive, and it was, but Copper didn’t exactly have to worry about money.  And they did have some unique things he might not have been able to find back home.  Maybe he would have in Providence during school, but his home was in a sleepy little beach town, and this was a lot different.  Copper didn’t really need much in the way of groceries, but he was bored, and none of his new friends had texted him back.  So Copper found himself at Gable’s just browsing the shelves, buying some snacks and some other things, and then he went to stand in line.  By the time he got to the cash register, Copper noticed the man standing there and thought he seemed tired.  “Rough day?” Copper asked, grinning at him.  Thinking that might be rude, he added a second later, “Sorry, I don’t mean that you look haggard or anything.  You look fine.  Great even…uh, forget I said anything.  Sorry…”  He set his groceries down at the register, saying quietly, “I’m just getting these things…”

“Oh yeah,” Jude said with a slight nod, “Too many older people have raised a fuss today about donuts.” As he listened to him and scanned his groceries, he smiled at him. Jude was glad that someone his age had come inside and was making conversation with him. Jude laughed softly, hoping to make him feel a little less anxious. “No worries!” he assured him, “You think I look great though? That’s better than hearing I’m a ‘cutie pie’ or a ‘precious baby’ from an elderly lady.” He set his things gently in the bag. “Nice to meet you, by the way. I’m Jude,” he told him, pointing to his nametag.

West faked being angry and let out an annoyed groan. “Seriously? No donuts? I can’t live like this anymore. You know what? I don’t want anything anymore. I’l just go to another place where I can find the donuts that I want. Extra glazed, raspberry filled” He smiled and rubbed his abdomen “I hadn’t even thought about donuts, but now that you mentioned it… my stomach wants it.” He joked and kept unloading his shopping cart. “Got any good donut recommendations since you’re guilty of this craving?” 

Jude laughed as he smiled. “Sorry, so many older people have been angry about the lack of donuts here. Just part of the script,” he explained, “Even though I’m sure that there are fresh donuts somewhere in this town besides here.” As he scanned his groceries, Jude looked up at the guy and smiled at him. “Well, I think my favorite donut may have to be a creme-filled one, but sometimes I do like a donut with sprinkles. If it looks fun to eat, I’ll take it. Sounds weird, but a boring donut just never hits like a fun one.”

“Aw, damn it. I was really hoping to get some, but I guess my sweet tooth can find somethin’ else, yeah?” Julian mused, adjusting his baseball cap a little. The Aussie nodded at the cashier’s original question, however as he emptied out the contents of his basket onto the conveyor belt and set the empty basket on the basket stack at the end of the register. There were the usual groceries. Eggs, cheese, bread, some cabbage and peppers, and then there were two king sized Kit Kats, a jar of Nutella, and a family sized bag of potato chips. “Everything’s good, as usual. Stockin’ up on the basics and then some for when the munchies hit tonight,” he half-joked. While the comment had been humorous, he was absolutely planning on getting stoned and playing the guitar on his back porch later. It had been too long since the last time. “How’s your day goin, mate? Is your day almost over yet?” He hoped it was. It was too lovely of a day for anyone to be cooped inside for too long.

Laughing, Jude began ringing up his groceries. “The best time to come in and get them is before the after-work rush,” he informed him, “No clue why these parents insist that their bratty kids need sugar.” He scanned the items and placed gently into the bags. He grinned while he spoke, laughing at his comment. “That’s exactly what I’m planning on doing when I get home, so no judgment here.” Nodding, Jude said, “Not too long now, actually! Just another hour and a half. It feels like ten hours, but I think I can make it. You have any big plans for today?”

“It’s a chapstick cozy,” Dante explained reaching for one of the finished products in front of him as an example. “But I suppose currently it’s just a shaft. I’ve still got to make the balls for it,” he continued momentarily setting his work down. Crocheting and talking just made him destined to drop a stitch and on something as small as this it wasn’t a blunder he could easily look past. “I like the rainbow too, it’s hand dyed. I got it from a shop down the way. This is just the last little bits of it. I used it to make socks initially,” he went on.

Grinning, Jude nodded. “Oh wow,” he said, “I never knew that people needed holders for their chapstick. I kinda like them.” He watched as the person kept crocheting. Jude’s mother often crocheted, but it never caught his attention since there was family tension. “Sorry if it feels like I’m bugging you,” he said with a soft laugh, “I haven’t been in a store like this before, but I like what you have to have offer.” He smiled at him and picked up a small tin of mints. “This is absolutely hilarious. I love it.”