Short Stories

Coffee Shop

There is a man sitting by the window of a lonely coffee shop. He is not doing much, but he never does. Just sipping away a Sunday with a cup of coffee, reading a book as I write mine. I always greeted him with a smile and walked him to his chair His fingers traced the page as he read the book he had brought with him. His weathered face smiled and looked in to the cloudy sun broken sky.

I checked the others out. I smile as young children brought worlds that I had read earlier. There were some that I had come to love more than some of my family. That was why I loved this place. There were so many adventure and you never had to leave the building.

He watched the clouds roll across the small window. While his eye found their forgotten images, mine bore holes in to his uniform. It was dusty and dirty as if he had just come back but he was to old to serve. His scratchy beard was long and white, like a dirty Saint Nick.

When the clouds covered the sun again he looked at me. His face still looked the same. I walked over to him to see his story and find his novel. I handed him the book he had requested earlier.

"Tide is rolling over. See the water skip?"

"Sweet child. I haven't seen anything since 99."

We sat there in silence for a while. I loved the silence that hung in the air. It was electric with his secrets and stories.

"Child, do you have another story for me?"

"Yes sir. Here is the book you requested."

"I meant about the outside world. What moves beyond the water?"

"People sir. They are over there in the garden for me."

"Who moves in the garden?"

"The people sir."

"Beside the people"

"Well all things that belong in a garden sir. The mice, lizards with bright beards, squirrels, dragonflies, bees, and mosquitoes."

"Thank you little one."

"I am older than a child. I am almost a woman."

"Almost a woman." He laughed to himself. "Almost is not quiet there. Do not rush yourself little one. Stay a child as long as you can. The world we live in not kind to sweet girls like you."

"I could be a troll and a complete monster. Not all girls are sweet."

"True child. Not all men are kind. I know that you are."

"Why do you say that?"

"You finished your shift several hours ago. I heard you with the tiny children and finding books that they could read and rent. I may not be able to see, but I hear well. You told your boss that you would handle my needs."

"I'm the only one who knows enough sign language just in case you were deaf sir."

"I didn't mean to trouble you and take your time."

"Its fine sir."