Chapter 1: Maya Marbles

The sun shined bright that day but I felt more off than anything. I've been so stressed. I haven't had a day off in probably five months. I've been trying to put in overtime. I needed all the money I can make. I have to pay all my grandmother's medical bills. Her insurance didn't cover everything. She's the only family I have left. But nothing is helping her. I refuse to lose faith though. I will do anything to help her. 

I sigh as I stare at myself in the mirror. I barely recognize myself. I've went down two pants sizes since my grandma got sick a year ago. I only eat when I'm at work because we get a free lunch. There's dark rings around my eyes. I don't remember the last time I combed my hair. I've been so unhappy and lonely being in her big house by myself. I don't have time for friends since I work so much. Sometimes I work open to close. Sometimes with no breaks because I need all the the hours I can get. I grab my bag and make sure I got my keys. I grab my work hat and head out. Its pretty warm this morning. I walk to work as I normally do. I need to save all the money I can. I adjust my bag on my shoulder before leaving out. I lock the door and head out to work. 

We live in such a terrible neighborhood. It wasn't always bad but something snapped in this city. It's so run down. That even the cops barely make it. Every time you turn around someone is getting shot, robbed, jumped for the stupidest thing. Man even my brother got killed because he looked like someone from a rival gang.  No other family but my grandmother I have now. Everyone distanced themselves from us. No one wants to talk to me because I refuse to leave. But, I won't leave my grandmother. I sigh once I make it to work. There's already a line around the drive thru. I place my bag in my locker and put my visor on.  Here we go. I say to myself as I clock in. 

"Hey Maya, you're drive thru taker." My manager says. 

"Okay. Greg." 

I grab my headset and turn it on before placing it over my head. I sign into the POS system and sigh once it dings. Indicating a car has pulled up. Why do I feel weird today? Like something different is gonna happen. 

"Welcome to Cup of Joe. This is Maya. How may I help you today?"

I've said these lines so much that I even say it when I answer the phone. 

"Hello Maya this is Megan. My usually please."

"Sure thing girl. Just pull up to the window when you get a chance."

"Thanks hun."

I type in a large 6 milks and 2 sugars. Another beep goes off.

"Welcome to Cup of Joe. This is Maya. How may I help you today?"

Three and a half hours go by in my shift and I've repeated the same lines over and over. 

DING !! 

I hear as they start playing my favorite song Human Nature by Michael Jackson. Everyone looks at me because they know I'm a big fan. I swear his music gives me strength. I start bobbing my head to the beat. I already know I'm gonna break out into a dance. 

"Welcome to Cup of Joe. This is Maya. How may I help you today?"

"Yes. Can I get an extra large black with a shot of espresso. What are you getting Bill? Okay. Also other extra large coffee 2 creams and 2 sugars. Anything for you boss man?" 

I start singing not realizing my headset was still on. 

"Maya." Lance my co-worker says. "Your headset is still on."

My eyes grow wide and I face palm myself.

"I'm so sorry." I say.

"Yes. I wanna meet her. She has a voice of an angel."

What? 

"It's okay hun." He says. "Can I also get an orange juice."

"Sure thing. May I get you fellas anything else today?" I say.

"No thank that's it."

"Okay your total is $8.09. Please pull up to the window when you get a chance."

"Thank you."

"You are very much welcomed." 

There wasn't a ding after. So I continued to sing as I walk to the cooler. I grab a cup of our freshly squeezed orange juice and dance my way over to the window. Just as they pull up. I moonwalk back to my spot. Just jamming my co workers joining me on the fun. I can hear a commotion at the window but pay no mind to it as the song ends. That was fun. 

"I want to meet her. I must say hello." I hear someone say. 

Why does that voice sound familiar? I shrug it off as I wipe the counter clean with a rag. Still dancing to a tune in my head.

"Maya." I hear Lance say. 

"What's up?" I say as I look at him.

"The customer wants you?"

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask as I walk up to the window.

"Someone said they have to meet you."

"That's new." I say as I reach the window.

I smile at the two men that sat in front in all black suits with sunglasses on. 

"Pull up. I wanna meet her." 

Why does his voice sound so familiar? I shrug it off as the car slowly moves up a little. Revealing the backseat window. I smile as the window slowly goes down. 

"Hello, how are you today sir?"

"I am well thank you for asking and how about yourself?"

"I'm good. Thank you for asking. My co-worker said you wanted to speak to me. Did I get something wrong on your order?"

"No. I just had to meet you." He says with a smile. 

Oh my gosh his smile. Why does it remind me of Michael Jackson's. Now that I think about it. His voice does too. No it's just a coincidence. He has a cap on and sunglasses on. Its kinda dark in the car so I can't really get a good look at him.

"I'm sorry." I say a little shocked. 

"You're voice is so beautiful." He says.

"I'm sorry I know it was unprofessional of me. I just couldn't help myself. It's one of my favorite songs."

"Are you a big fan of Michael Jackson?" He asks intrigued.

"I mean he is my favorite singer. His music has helped me out of some pretty dark places." I say.

"What would you do if you ever got to meet him?"

"He's still a human being. So pretty normal. He already has enough going on and different people in his face. I rather not cause more stress in his life." I say honestly.

"I'm so intrigued by you." He says coming closer.

"Yo boss man we are on a tight schedule." A man says in the passenger's seat.

"I know Bill." He says still looking at me. "You said your name is Maya right?" He says reaching his hand out.

He jesters me to come closer and I find myself like in a trance. I reach for his hand and he places a kiss on it. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. That's new. This is all new to me.

"Please keep my secret but my name is Michael." He whispers for only me to hear. 

What? No way. It's just a coincidence. He reaches down I guess in his pocket. 

"Do you guys split tips?" He ask as he leans more back in the car.

"Yes sir." I say.

"How many of y'all are there?" 

I think counting it in my head. 

"Five sir."

"Well here you go." He says handing me two hundred dollar bills. 

My eyes grow wide. 

"I'm sorry sir but this is way too much. I can't accept this."

"Please, accept it." He says nicely. 

I sigh feeling defeated. 

"Thank you so much sir."

"We really need to go sir." Bill says.

"Okay. Okay." He says to him. "When will I see you again?" He asks.

"I'm here every day sir almost around the same time."

"Thank you. Until we meet again." He says.

"Bye." I say as they drive off. 

Wow. That was definitely different. But, I shrug it off and get back to work. My shift goes by pretty quickly. I clock out and grab my things. I say good bye to the closing workers and head out to see my grandmother in the hospital. She's just two blocks away so I get there pretty quickly. I walk up to the front desk and I'm greeted by the receptionist. I smile at her. 

"Hey Maya, how are you doing today?"

"I'm good." I say lying. "How about yourself?"

"Tired as always." Beth says chuckling. "I see you are coming from work."

"Yeah. All work and no play for me."

"Girl, you need to do more than work. You are still young and have no responsibilities."

"I have a lot what do you mean?"

"You are only 24 and I know you haven't been having any fun." 

"I have too much going on. Let's not do this. I'm gonna go up and see her now." I say sadly. 

I walk away not waiting for her response. I walk to the elevator and press the button to go up. I sigh trying to swallow my tears that are itching to come out. I don't have time to cry or to even be sad. My grandmother needs me now more than anything. The elevator dings and the doors slowly open. I walk on pressing the button for the 12th floor. My gaze stays planted to the floor. I refuse to look at myself. I know I look so bad. But, I don't care. I have no time to worry about myself. I have a responsibility to help my grandmother. Everything I do is for her. I reach my floor and walk off. Avoiding everyone and their gaze. I use to say hello to everyone that I walk passed but now it just takes too much strength. I reach her room and lightly tap on the door before opening it. 

"Hey grandma." I softly say. 

She weakly smiles at me. 

"Hey baby." She says barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?" She asks. 

"What do you mean? I come to see you everyday."

"I know. But, you don't have too. You need to live your life and be happy."

"No, I need to be here with you by your side. Since the rest of the family don't want too." 

"Everyone has their own life to live. Like you do and I wish you wouldn't kill yourself over work."

"I have to make sure you are getting all the best help you can get."

"Sweetie, you know..." 

She stops talking and I look away from her. I already know what she's gonna say. I know she's dying but I refuse to give up. I know there's someone out there who can help her. I just wish it wasn't so expensive. 

"Maya, please get out of your head."

"It's easier said than done." I lightly force a chuckle out. 

"I need you to do something for me." She says. 

"Anything." I say almost desperately as I look at her again. 

"I need you to live your life. Be happy and fall in love. Make friends and move out of this town." 

"What about your home?" I say. 

"Sell it, keep whatever you want and use the money to follow your dreams. I hope you are still writing." 

I look down at my feet and kick an imaginary pebble. 

"Maya Nicole Marbles. I know things are tough but your writing has always been your biggest passion and you have so much talent."

"I honestly lost all my inspiration. I miss it so much but it's so hard to focus."

"You are trying too hard baby. I remember I use to yell at you to get some sleep. Because you would be up all night writing. I miss that Maya. I miss you being so happy and writing. I miss you."

"I'm right here though."

"Physically but, mentally you are somewhere else lost. I need you to come back and focus on you. Live your life. If not for you at least for me. That is my dying wish for you to find yourself again."

I feel my body tremble but, I refuse to cry. I need to be strong for her. 

"Please, before it's too late." She says begging. 

"I won't disappoint you grandma I promise."

I mean it. It's just gonna be so hard. I don't even recognize myself anymore. 

"I feel like something happened today." She says bringing me out of my thoughts. 

I look at her with a quickness. 

"Oh something did." She says smiling at me. "Please tell me." 

"Well, it's a boy and he's really nice." I say and I can't help but smile. "I embarrassed myself by singing when I took his order. But, he was so intrigued by my voice. He kept saying he just had to meet me."

"Sweetie don't be. You have such a beautiful voice. I wish you would sing more."

"You know I only sing when..."

"Michael Jackson comes on" 

I can't but smile a little. 

"What's weird is his smile and voice looks and sounds just like his. Even his name is Michael."

"You don't think it was really him do you?" She asks with hope in her eyes. 

"The odds of that is a million to one." 

"Baby you are so long overdue for something amazing to happen to you. But, did he ask for your number or anything?" 

"Grandma." I say shocked. "He just asked if he would ever see me again. I told him I work everyday at the same time."    

"He could be your miracle." She says.

"Grandma." I say and I couldn't help but laugh.

I swear she' the only one who makes me smile. Besides Michael's music.

================================================================================

The next morning I did what I usually do. Shower and get ready for work. I barely even slept. My mind won't let me rest. If I do actually fall asleep I always have nightmares. I can't seem to win. I leave my hair in the messy bun that sits on top of my head. My hair is so knotted it's ridiculous. I just don't have the energy to take care of myself. I don't even think my co-workers know about how sad I really am. I try really hard to hide it behind this smile I force every single day. I get to work and clock in with this fake smile on my face. I really don't want to be working here forever but it helps pay the bills with all the hours I put in and the tips we make.

"Good morning Maya. You are working drive-thru window today." Greg says.

Oh great. Now I really gotta put on a show.

"Okay."

I grab a headset and put it over my head. I turn it on and plaster a fake smile on my face. Oh the joy of being fake happy. I force my smile for every customer that pulls up. Three and a half hours go by. I wonder if he's gonna show up again? Probably not. I'm nobody special anyway.

DING

"Boss." I hear someone yell through the headset. "You could've waited till I stopped."

His voice sounds familiar.

"Is she there? I need to know."

My eyes grow wide. It can't be.

"Welcome to Cup of Joe. This is Connie. How may I help you today?"

"Is Maya there." He says.

You can hear the excitement in his voice. Why? I'm no one special. All eyes are on me. Why?

"Yes sir. She will be the first person you see when you pull up to the window." She says smiling at me.

I roll my eyes at her.

"Okay. Thank you." He says. "Okay. You can order now."

"I swear you are too much." A man says laughing. "Can I get an extra large black with a shot of espresso, a large 2 creams 2 sugars and an orange juice."

"Sure things sir. May I get you anything else?"

"No thank you."

"You are welcomed sir. Your total is $8.09. Just pull up to the window when you get a chance."

They drive up to the window. It's pretty slow today. It usually is on a Sunday. They reach the window and I grab their drinks. I place them on the little counter in front of the window as the window slowly opens. I smile at them.

"Good morning. How you gentlemen today?" "Pretty good." They both say. "And you?" Bill asks.

I believe that was his name.

"I'm awesome as always. Thank you for asking. Your total is $8.09 sir."

He hands me a ten.

"Keep the change."

"Thank you so much sir."

"I'm gonna pull up now. Your buddy wants to say hi." The driver says.

He pulls up a little and the window slowly rolls down.

"Hi Maya." He says with so much excitement.

"Hello." I say as I  lean closer to his window. "Michael, how are you doing today?" I whisper for only him to hear.

I still can't see his face. It's dark in the car and he has sunglasses on and a cap. I wonder who this man is. I don't believe that he is Michael Jackson.

"I'm better now that I get to see you."

"Oh my." I say giggling a little as I blush.

I still was practically hanging out the window. There's something about him that draws me too him.

"I really hope we can be friends one day. If that isn't too much."

"I wish. I never have time for friends sir. All I do is work." I say sadly.

The man in the passenger's seat laughs out loud.

"Boss man doesn't know how to relax. It's all work and no play."

"I make time for the right people Bill." He says to him. "I really hope you consider my friendship. There's something about you that intrigues me. Maybe one day Maya. You seem like a real person and I need that right now." He says to me. "Too many fake people in my life pretending to be my friend." He says lowly.

Awe. I feel so bad for him. I wish we could be friends. But I don't wanna tell him no.

"Maybe one day." I say looking away.

"Are you okay?" He asks me.

Define okay.

"Yeah. I just remembered something." I say smiling at him. "Same time tomorrow sir?" I ask.

"If you are here I'm definitely gonna be." He says smiling bigger.

Why does his smile remind me of Michael's?

"I told you sir. I work everyday."

"I do too sadly." He says low. "How many people today?" 

"Just three. Sunday's are our slowest days." 

"Here you go." Says as he hands me three hundred dollar bills.

My eyes grow wide.

"But sir."

"Please expect it. Don't hurt my feelings now."

Why did he have to say that. I sigh. This man is too much.

"Thank you sir." I say grabbing the money from him. 

"Until we see each other again. Have an awesome day Maya."

"You too sir." 

"Thank you."

And with that they drove off. He seems nice but, I don't have time for friends. Connie walks up too me with a big grin on her face.

"So who is that? Is he your boo thing."

"Shut up." I say laughing. 

"I can tell you like him."

"Girl, I just met the man yesterday."

"Your red cheeks say it all."

Oh boy.