QUOTE : Come on, Noodle. Let’s head back.”<br /><br />Pulling my coffee closer, I hug it like it’s my last true friend. “I needed to make some changes anyway. This table is my home now. Forward my mail.”<br /><br />Laughing, Benny reaches into his back pocket, fishing out his wallet. “You’ll feel better after you talk to Andrew.”<br /><br />“Are they all waiting at the van?”<br /><br />He shakes his head and pulls a clean hundred-dollar bill out, dropping it on the table. “They all headed back a while ago.” He stands. “We can take a cab.”<br /><br />I stare at the bill on the table. “Holy Benjamin Franklin. My coffee was, like, four dollars.”<br /><br />“I don’t have anything smaller on me.”<br /><br />“Let me just pay with my debit card.” I start to stand, but he puts a hand on my arm.<br /><br />“Mae. I got it. It’s almost Christmas, and this nice little restaurant has kept you safe from cars and awnings and all other dangerous flying objects.” He shrugs. “You ever hear of Spotify?”<br /><br />“Uh, yeah?”<br /><br />He grins. “I got in early.”<br /><br />“How early?”<br /><br />“Early.” He lifts his chin to the door. “Let’s go.