Another Broken Smile

4- Winters and Coffee

Reminiscing memories of the past are like living them all over again.

"Good morning Sam" I greet as I step into my beloved coffee shop. The aroma of coffee beans greets me with a blast. I walk behind the counter and put on my brown apron. As I fidget with the strings of the apron behind me Alissa comes from behind the cash register.

"Hey Ellie" she greets

"Hello Alissa" I greet back the ends of mouth lifting up in a smile.

Alissa is an old friend of mine. She is kind, sarcastic and humorous. She also works in this coffee shop. This is a paradise my dad had bought for my mum when things were like a fairy tale. My mom was a huge coffee addict and loved this place to bits. She would often sit at the corner of the cafe facing the window to finish her school work.

Alissa and I have been friends for as long as I remember. We have been friends and neighbors since I was born but things between us escalated downwards from the start of freshman year. We're still friends, but things have changed.

"Want to grab a cup of coffee after the shift?" Alissa asked. I nodded eagerly and began my shift with a huge smile plastered on my face.

The coffee shop is now owned by Meghan but she doesn't bother much about it. All she cares is that she gets a good amount of money by the end of the day. I work at the coffee shop because of Meghan's orders but I don't mind it very much. The shift gets over quick. The people in this town love the coffee here and are very friendly, especially since most of them know the history this shop holds.

"Hey Sherry" I greet as the bell rings indicating her entrance. She stands at the door sniffing in the aroma of coffee and smiles warmly.

She walks to the counter and orders, "Black coffee with a pastry please"

I nod and run inside to get her orders done. She is a kind old lady with her grey hair tied in a neat bun. She usually wears pale dresses and smiles warmly at everyone around her. She's one of our customers who've been coming around every other day since dad bought the shop.

I hand her the coffee and pastry and she quickly thanks me before sitting at one of the tables, happily munching on her pastry while watchin the people pass by outside the window. This is what I love about this shop, it is a small paradise in this big town.

The usual customers, warm smiles and the aroma of coffee...

Our shift soon ends and I find myself sitting at the table near the window with Alissa across me. Her bright red hair now freely flow to her shoulders and she smiles widely before sipping from her cup of cappuccino.

"So how has everything been?" I ask before sipping my own cup of latte. As my cold lips touch the steaming milk a sense of pleasure runs through my body.

Harsh winters and Coffees....

"Life's been pretty good actually," she replies before continuing, "Do you like Becca?" she suddenly asks ,her eyebrows raised in interrogation.

Why would she ask me that? Becca is her friend or so it seems to be. I don't know. Before I could continue my inner battle a hesitant voice interrupts us, "Can I sit?"

I look up to see Adeline, dressed in a cute outfit. What happened? How is she here? I mean Adeline only comes out of the house when absolutely necessary which I totally agree with. The only reasons a sane person should get out of the house is for renting new movies, visiting the library or buying more food.

"Sure" Alissa says grinning widely at Adeline. A tight lipped smile stretches across Adeline's features. She is a person you see rarely smiling for no reason. She drags a chair and sits in between Alissa and me.