Arcturus

              By Harper S. Villani

Jones’ Coffee sat on Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. It was close enough to the ocean
that the smell of salt came in with the breeze. Inside there were squashy seats with a dozen
or so mismatched tables and chairs, all occupied with couples or study groups. Cait looked
around on her toes for a place to sit while Josh stared at the menu and doubted the coffee
would actually be worth the eight dollars he knew he’d be paying. But as they scanned the
room they realized they weren’t going to get a table. Cait originally suggested their favorite
cafe, but Josh picked this place instead because it was farther out and because he couldn’t
risk ruining their place.

“We could sit outside?” Cait said, pinching Josh’s shoulder.

“Yeah, great, let’s go outside, I love when my thighs sweat until my jeans stick to
them when I walk. Perfect,” Josh answered. Cait was already walking out the door.
Unlike inside, the outside seating looked abandoned; the indoor occupants likely feeding off
the free air conditioning. Metal chairs and metal tables sat scattered about the patio. They
took the first table they found. Cait didn’t put down her messenger bag or make a move to
remove her jacket, so Josh leaned over and freed his sister of the leather strap that cut into
her shoulder.

“Oh, thanks.” Cait sighed in relief and rubbed her shoulder, then she took the bag
from him, set it on the table. A moment later she peeled off her jacket.

“What’d you wear that for anyway? It’s literally ninety-five degrees out,” Josh
laughed.

“Weatherman said it could rain,” Cait said, crossing her arms over her chest. When
Josh raised an eyebrow at her she scoffed. “I didn’t wanna get wet.”

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