The Father and The Diner Owner
“Hi.”
Remus looked up to see a black haired teen sitting at his counter. “Hi.”
“Coffee?” The teen asked.
“Where’s your godfather?” Remus asked the boy, already pulling out the mug and grabbing the pot of coffee behind him.
“He’s on his way. Unfortunately he is on the phone with his parents. And I know you don’t like phones in the diner,” the boy said.
“Smart lad,” Remus smiled. He went over to the donut tray and grabbed one for the boy, pouring a cup of coffee as well. “On the house.”
“Thanks Remus!” The boy said gladly taking the donut. “You better pour him a mug though, he always gets depressed after hanging up with his dad.”
As Remus reached down to grab another mug the bell above the door chimed. He filled the mug and placed it at the seat next to the boy.
“That better be for me,” the man said dramatically flopping onto the stool.
“That’s for my other godfather,” the boy said. “He looks sort of like you but is far less dramatic and doesn’t spend ten minutes hanging up the phone.”
“Well, Harry, I’m sure he’s not as good looking as I am,” the man said flicking a strand of long black hair away from his face. “Have you seen this other godfather Remus?”
“Please do not drag me into this,” Remus said from the other end of the counter.
It was like this every morning. Sometimes Sirius would be the first one in, or him and Harry would come in together. But it was always two giant cups of coffee, maybe more if Harry didn’t have school. Then they would come back in after six and order more coffee and usually a burger.
“Hi,” Sirius said coming up to the cash register.
“Hello,” Remus said.
“The kid told me you gave him a free donut for keeping me out,” Sirius smirked. “I was thinking I should also get a free donut.”
“And why is that?”
“For not bringing my phone conversation inside,” the smirk was still there.
“You needed a fifteen year old kid to tell you that? I have had that sign,” Remus pointed to the sign on the wall next to the coffee machines, “there since the day I opened. And you look at that coffee machine everyday, so I have no idea how you have never seen it before.”
“I didn’t say I haven’t seen it before,” Siris said.
“Yes, but I knew you were going to say that.”
“You knew I was going to say that?”
“Yes,” Remus said, instantly regretting it.
“Are you clairvoyant Remus?” Sirius asked.
“Harry,” Remus called down the counter. “Get him out of here.”
The boy smiled and took a final sip of his coffee and grabbed his backpack. “Come in Padfoot,” Harry grabbed his godfather’s sleeve. “I have to get to school and you have to get to work.”
“Thank you,” Remus sighed.
“Bye Remus,” Harry said pulling Sirius with him out the door.
“Bye Remus, I’m sure you’ll know we’ll be back!” Sirius called as the door closed.
===
“I think you need some friends, or like a girlfriend or something,” Marlene said taking the seat in front of the register.
“I don’t think you’re my type,” Remus replied, typing numbers into his phone’s calculator.
“One,” Marlene said holding up a finger, “that is rude. I’m everyone’s type. And two I did not mean me. I also said or something. Meaning that maybe someone who just so happens to have a fifteen year old kid and daddy issues. And three, you are a hypocrite.”
“How so?” Remus asked ignoring the rest of what Marlene said.
“You are on your phone! What about that?” She pointed to the sign behind him.
“I am working,” he held up the phone to show her the numbers.
“A likely story.” She was quiet for a few moments, that’s all you really got with her. “So.”
“So what?”
“Are you going to do something about the single dad or not?”
“Not, I don’t need that. And he doesn’t need me messing about there. I just pour the coffee, and supply the food. That is all.”
“Right,” Marlene said.
“Right, now if you don’t mind some people actually have to work around here.”
“Fine, fine,” Marlene said sliding off the stool. “I will help you whenever you get the guts to ask him out.”
“I think you are going to be waiting a bit on that.”
“Sure, if you say so Remus,” Marlene smiled as she walked out the door.