I will find you // Dreamnotfound

Chapter 7. The Williams

There was always a small caffe in the center of the city where all kinds of people would go to everytime they had the chance. It was built a long time ago, maybe 60 years, could even be 70. There is the story that every customer knew even if they only went once there. A young couple in their early twenties was so in love that they wanted to start a small business togheter. They didn't care about the money they earned, they only cared about making the perfect atmosphere for their customers. At first they would only get 5 or 6 clients but with time the numbers grew bigger and bigger until eventually they had to convince their friend to work for them to help with the big number of orders. The couple had so much love for their coffee shop that they named it after them. The boy proposed to the beautiful young woman in that coffee shop, on a Saturday, on their 3 year aniversary. Everyone loved them. People would even bring gifts to them. There would always be happiness in that small place. No one would have negative feelings because they would always let their problems at the door. 

The caffe grew older as the couple grew happier togheter until eventually they passed out, on a sunny morning, both in their bed, holdings hands. Because everyone loved them, it was a shock for the whole neighbourhood and not only. Hundreds of people came to their funeral to leave flowers and good intentions and to congratulate the new owner. Before they died, they made a contract in which their friend would get all of it and forced the friend to sign it. Even though the couple was so loved, the customers loved the new owner too. So, so much. 

Now, 60 years later, George was sitting outside the coffee shop, drinking his coffee as he watched happy couples walk their dogs or take their children on a walk to the nearest park. But mostly he loved watching the teenagers skateboard in that little park near the small caffe. He would admire them as they reminded him of his childhood. He remembered that when he was 10 years old, the skate park was much smaller than now, but it didn't matter because he used to be happy when going out with his friends to skate on the ramps where they would scratch themselves. It was such a happy time, now all he could do is watch the other teens have fun there where he used to stay up until 9 pm when his mother would drag him to the house to eat and go to sleep. He didn't even know if he still knew how to skate, now it seemed much harder. 

"George! Hey little man! How are you doing? I haven't seen you in such a long time." An old man came to him.

"A long time? It's only been two weeks. I'm doing good, but you? I saw you're struggling with this damn caffe. Why don't you retire? Live the rest of your life with the person you love. Just find a new owner, I'm sure the shop will be okay even if you're not here." George responded back to his question.

"Retire? What will i even do after my retirement? I'm old, there is nothing i can do to bring time back, to bring my young age back. And what person can i love now? The only one i ever loved was my best friend. After he died i couldn't even marry someone. I felt guilty that i got to live the rest of my life happy, while he died at such a young age. And so i couldn't to this to him, you know?" The owner said as tears gathered in his eyes for remembering the day his best friend died.

"I know it's horrible to lose someone you love, actually i never lost one before. Even though i can't know how you're feeling, I'm sure Jack would want you to get over it. But as this is your decision I'm sure it's the best."

"Oh George. You will find out eventually what it feels like. I'm hoping not too soon. You're such a young boy, you don't have to feel this right now. But as time goes, bad things will always happen. As for the shop, I promised Jack and his wife that i will take care of it for them. I can't leave it in the hands of a stranger. I put so much effort in it, I can't do this. I can't leave it. I will even die in this shitty coffee shop if i have to." The old man said to George as he put his hand on his shoulder.