Until My Heart Stops Beating Read Online Free PDF

that there was six bottles unaccounted for. Looking up over the bar she called Marcella and asked her to tell Rasheeda to come over.
                  “What’s up Keba?”
                  Turning to face her she said, “My count is off by six bottles.”
                  “Are you sure?”
                  “Yes. Go look over my paperwork.”
                  “No need girl. I believe you.”
                  “Ok, I just wanted to inform you of what’s going on. Go away now. I need to stock up before the crowd starts coming in.”
                  Rasheeda sucked her teeth. “Girl I’ve been thrown out of better places than this.”
                  She walked away chuckling, leaving Makeba to set up her bar so she could be prepared when customers start to arrive.
                  Realizing she was low on coronas, she looked around for Nick, the utility worker, but he was nowhere to be found. Sighing, she walked to the back to get a case herself. She returned to the front and began restocking the refrigerator. Again, her mind was invaded by thoughts of what's his name. For the life of her she couldn’t remember what his name was. Brushing it off she continued to fill up the refrigerator.
                  “Ahem.”
                  She looked up. An old Spanish guy was standing on the other side of the bar holding a bouquet of flowers.
                  “Can I help you?”
                  “I have a delivery for Makeba.”
                  “I’m Makeba.”
                  “These are for you then.” He held the vase out to her.
                  She looked at him inquisitively. Who in the world could they have been from? She thought. She wasn’t dating anyone nor did she do anything spectacular for anyone that would warrant a bouquet of flowers as a reward. Realizing the man was still holding the vase waiting for her to take them she accepted the flowers and placed them on the bar while she retrieved her purse from the cabinet. Taking out a five dollar bill from her wallet she handed it to him and was shocked when he declined the money.
                  “Thank you anyway ma’am. I have been tipped handsomely in advance. Enjoy your day and your flowers,” he smiled as he trotted off.
                  Smiling, she turned her attention to the beautiful bouquet that was just delivered. From the corner of her eye she observed movement. Glancing over at the doorway, she discovered Marcella, Nick and Rasheeda peeking at her with smiles bigger than the one she had on her face.
                  “What?” she grinned.
                  They entered asking all kinds of questions like where the flowers came from and how serious she was with the guy that sent them. They were questions she had no answers because she didn’t know herself. Suddenly it occurred to her that she hadn’t read the card. Maybe all the answers to her questions were there. Opening the card left her with more questions than she had before reading it. There was no name nor any mention of anything that would have given a clue as to who sent them. Knowing that her co-workers were anxious to know what the card said, she read the short message. Everyone voiced their opinion on who could possibly have sent them. Even Melvin’s name was thrown in the mix. The thought of him sending her flowers made her sick to her stomach. Rasheeda suggested that she had a secret admirer and considered her lucky. Shrugging her shoulders, she shooed them away so she could get back to work. Customers were starting to arrive. 
                  Today turned out to be one of those days Makeba loved to hate. An unexpected thunderstorm passed through and caused hundreds of delays. The bar was packed to capacity. Because of the bad weather