I got ready for the afternoon shift in a rush alarm blaring at 12:45, shower so fast the water barely warmed up, scrubs yanked on while I brushed my teeth, short bob still damp and curling at the ends. I grabbed my bag, locked the apartment, and headed downstairs. The coffee cart outside the building was already open; the smell of fresh grounds hit me hard. I remembered Olga's face yesterday when I'd handed her the Rossi cup eyes wide, almost reverent. On impulse I stepped up.

"Two large flat whites, please. One with an extra shot."

The barista nodded, handed them over in paper cups with little cardboard sleeves....