I turned the sign on the café door from CLOSED to OPEN just as the sun started warming up Main Street. Georgia mornings always come in slow and sticky, like they’re stretching before the day gets serious.
“Morning, Miss Linda!” Earl called from his usual booth before I even tied my apron.
“Lord, Earl, you sleep here now or what?” I shot back, grabbing a pot of coffee.
I turned the sign on the café door from CLOSED to OPEN.
He grinned, tapping his mug. “Only place that still makes it strong enough to wake the dead.”
“Careful what you wish for. I ain’t licensed for that anymore.”