Quiet One

Anna's Cafe

Phil slowed his bike, pulling into a gravel lot next to a small building.

After he shut off the engine, MC leaned her head up to his shoulder and inquired, "Are we stopping here?"

"Yeah, I could do with some lunch. How about you? My treat?"

"Sounds great," she replied as she swung her leg back over dismounting the motorcycle. She fiddled with the helmet strap for a few seconds before Phil stepped in to help her remove it. "What is this place?"

"It is a café that specializes in local food. Everything they use is from the farms and forests around here. The daily offerings depending on what's available. Trust me. It is the best food around," he answered.

"I thought the Black Swan had the best food in the area," She inquired remembering how that was supposed to be the location of Dan and Jessy's date the night he crashed his car and ended up in the hospital.

"Nah. Their food is expensive and not worth the cost. Anna's food is much better than that swill," Phil said chuckling. "And here she is."

Turning to a woman with long gray hair, parted and plaited into 2 braids. She was wearing a long flowing shirt and a vintage band tee under her apron. She was maybe in her 60s. That caused MC to wonder if the t-shirt she wore had once been new before it aged to the "vintage" status.

"Phil! I haven't seen you in ages," the woman embraced him with a motherly hug. "And who is this with you? I have never known you to bring someone here. You're always alone when you visit here for lunch."

"Anna, this is MC. She is visiting from outside the country, and I wanted her to be able to taste your delicious food while she is here as it IS the best in the area. Who knows, maybe it will be enough to convince her to stay around a while longer." He winked at MC over the giant smile on his face.

"You flatter me too much. You should know that your flirtatious charms don't work on me, but I can see that it works on MC," she smirked as she noticed the slight blush on MC's cheeks. "Well, show her around back. I will be over shortly with a pitcher of water and tableware." As they turned to go through the door she continued, "And Phil, it really is good to see you."

Taking MC's hand, Phil led her through a tiny dining room with not more than a dozen small tables, down a dark hallway where the sunlight from the windows could not reach, and out a metal screen door that squeaked when it opened and shut with a loud metal bang behind them.

"Wow! This is beautiful!" MC gasped at the sight before her.

They were standing in a small back garden. There were only a few tables out here each with its own unique character. None of the tables and chairs matched, and each table was dressed with a beautiful vintage lace table runner or tablecloth. Mixed and matched vases full of flowers adorned the tables as centerpieces. Everything went together in its similarity but still shone with individual uniqueness. It was aesthetically authentic.

"You should see this place when the flowers are in full bloom. Anna's got quite the green thumb," Phil shared, "And she plants a Summer garden full of herbs and vegetables to use in her dishes."

The forest was not far away and the border where the yard met the treeline created a natural feeling of enclosure. Not in a menacing way, but in a cozy and intimate one.

"Let's sit here," he pulled out a chair for her to sit in. They were alone as the few customers having lunch were seated in the main dining area.

Anna emerged from the building carrying a pitcher of ice water and silverware rolled in cloth napkins. Even the napkins were different, proclaiming their uniqueness and beauty.