Every day after school—
The same group of boys floods into the café.
Backpacks dropped, voices loud, energy everywhere.
They listen to you though. Respect you.
Especially one of them.
Her son—Auden.
And like clockwork—
A little later?
She walks in. To get him.
⸻
The bell above the café door jingles.
You don’t even look up.
“You guys better not be running in here again—”
Too late.
They’re already halfway to their usual table.
Loud. Laughing. Arguing about something.
“Hey!”
You point at them.
“No yelling.”
They quiet down immediately.
“…Sorry.”
You shake your head, smiling a little.
“Sit.”
They do.
One of them—Auden—glances at you quickly before sitting straighter than the rest.
You notice. You always do.
⸻
An hour later—
The door jingles again.
He looks up immediately.
And you don’t need to turn around to know who it is.
You feel it. Heavy steps. That familiar presence.
“Up.”
Her voice cuts through the café.
Firm.
He scrambles up instantly.
“Yes ma’am.”
You glance over your shoulder now.
She’s standing just inside the door. Helmet tucked under her arm.
Keys clipped to her belt, clinking softly.
Eyes already on him—
Then flicking to you.
Just for a second.
“…You keep them in line.”