Almost a true story

 "Here comes the rain again," Piper thought she'd heard it in a song, but it didn't help her mood when she saw it wasn't just rain. It was night and there was ice. She'd need her brother Ben to pick her up, but he was at the library studying while she was working at the coffee shop. Oh, it could be so inviting, but she worked there. A completely different story being behind the counter. And it didn't help that Dean was the only one left before closing.

Why did it have to be Dean? Of course, he was still giving her the silent treatment. Ever since they broke up one day at lunch in the cafeteria, he had treated her as if she wasn't even there. She thought they could be friends. Well, he was her first real boyfriend. She'd stood in line at the cafeteria one fall day trying to get up the nerve to ask Keith Van Kemper to the Sadie Hawkins dance, but he didn't hear her. Dean did. He tapped her on the shoulder and said he'd go. They actually had American History together, but they'd never met. Of course, the dance was a crazy night. She had no idea the guy would take up half the basketball court in the gym just showing his moves. They'd gone with a friend and his date. It was just so wrong, because she thought it would be different. Yet, she'd watched him, a bit horrified wondering what she'd gotten into. But he was fun to watch, and before long she was smiling. She lived with her grandmother out on Prairie Mountain Road. Her parents were in the middle of a divorce so it was nice to take refuge on that old country road with a granny who was a good listener and loved to sew for her petite granddaughter, Piper. There were no men in their lives. Naturally, she had wanted to know which Dean she was going out with. She learned a lot of Deans. She was a retired middle school teacher. But when Granny met that Dean, "Oh, he's the banker's son." Evidently, he passed. Still, it was without warning how their so-called courtship started. He rode his bicycle all the way out to see her one Sunday afternoon and they went for a walk. He was quite the nature lover, and when they kissed down at the old quarry, it was magical. Sure, Piper had kissed boys before, but that was first grade. It had been a while, and it felt as if she and Dean could take on the world. Of course, he hated his father. "I'm going to live off the land," he'd said and Piper had only listened then. He didn't want kids. She didn't want any at the moment, being seventeen but still most thought she was an eighth grader. Shortly after that walk, the romance commenced. Why have lunch when you could be making out under the bleachers at the football field. Piper was bone thin by the time it ended. Yes, it was stressful, knowing what lunch would bring. Some of her friends would ask where she was? What was she doing? "Studying," she'd say. Her two gay friends, Stevie and Tim didn't like it. "You could be writing poetry with us." Piper only laughed. She knew they didn't need a third wheel. And then one cold chilly spring day, it ended. "Let's stop this," he said. And Piper was OK with that. "We can be friends." Her smile was weak. Dean was just a solemn cad who walked away. Oh, she tried to say hello on the bus. But nothing. She saw him in the hall from time to time, but he paid her no mind. It felt so cruel. And she hated to see him even now. The silence grew. She looked on the phone for Ben's text. Nothing. She pressed her lips tight. How long would she have to stay here? Usually, it was two people at the coffee shop, but the lady who owned the place had to leave early because her son was sick. As it was, no one much wanted anything in this storm. She sighed, thinking she'd offer Dean a cup of coffee, but no, she decided to just have some on her own. He could sit there and pay her no mind like he always did. It was hard to be kind to him. Piper looked at her mobile, wishing Ben would text. She knew he wouldn't call. She guessed it was a guy thing. He hadn't lived that long with Granny. He'd tried college and hated it. Now he was studying to go into the Air Force. "Got any coffee?" Dean asked out of the blue. "Sure," she poured him a mug full. Piper wouldn't charge him. After all, the place was closed. They were the only two here. "I saw you with that new guy Tony," he said. "Well," Piper found herself pressing her lips tight. She wasn't really seeing him. She was friends with his best friend Dave. Not that they had dated, but on occasion, he'd made her food at his Aunt's house. He knew all the secrets of Mexican cuisine thanks to his Aunt. "It's nothing really." "It better not be, you know it was him who caused that wreck on the bridge." Piper shook her head, yes. She knew. Tony wasn't seeing anyone now. He was staying home. She didn't know too much. But then she wondered if people thought he was her boyfriend. "Oh, we don't really know that," Piper's smile was waning as she stood by the booth. Dean took a sip of the hot coffee. "Well, you could sit down, you know." He looked at her as if she was still an idiot. "Oh." She went to get a cup of coffee. He talked then about working at the winery. She smiled, thinking of him stomping grapes with his bare feet. "What's so funny?" Dean wanted to know. "It's nothing." Her eyes lit. "Do you like it?" It was a relief to actually talk to him. Of course, he only gave her a shrug. "Maybe, we can go on the Llano River, sometime," he said. Piper nodded, unsure what he had in mind. "I wish you'd stop going out with so many guys," he told her. "What about you? Didn't I see you with RayAnn Scott?" Piper didn't think it was fair. "It was just a date," he shrugged cradling his warm coffee. "It's not like with you. I can do nothing with you and still have fun."