#Chapter 59: Prickling Portents

Kadeem The pink dawn shone through the windows of the donut shop. Mateo ripped the plastic lid off of his coffee cup, releasing a cloud of steam. “I want the scoop on your beta.” Kadeem sighed and slumped in his seat. “Give it a rest,” he said, taking a sip from his own styrofoam cup. Mateo began opening small packets of sweetened creamer, stirring in one after another like a man possessed. Kadeem watched in amusement. “Maybe we should just get you some sugar in IV form already,” he smirked, glancing at his pile of empty packets next to Mateo’s giant stack of donuts. Mateo waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t need your judgment,” he said. “Just eat your egg things.” “Egg bites,” Kadeem corrected. “And they’re not half bad,” he said, winking. Mateo clicked his tongue. “Whoever heard of ordering healthy crap like that in a donut store, for God’s sake?” He narrowed his eyes in mock abomination. “You disgust me.” Kadeem laughed, and took another for