The night cafe

The cafe

December 19,2001.

New Orleans Kenner city.

It was a stormy afternoon, I walk along the sidewalk and I can hear the tapping of the rain droplets landing on my umbrella. As I walk past the cafe a strong scent of cinnamon and maple flow through the air, as I continue to walk I hear something shatter in the near alleyway. I exhale in the cold late afternoon air as I see my breath trail off in the wind. I walk towards the opening between two abandoned buildings, I start to slow my steps as I feel as if I'm being watched. I continue to walk deeper into the alley but I immediately come to a stop as something swiftly runs past me. I look back and forth as I get more nervous by the second, I quickly look in front of me and see a small figure running towards me. I fall to the cold,dreary,cement as I slowly peep my eyes open to see a small rusty ginger cat grooming itself as it lays on my stomach.

I take a deep sigh of relief as I gradually reach for the cat, I hesitantly sit up as the cat lays in my lap. I calmly set my hand on its cold, bitter fur as I gently start to pet it, I take my thick wool scarf off my neck and slowly wrap it around the cat. I gently get back onto my feet as I hold the cat tightly. I look at the cat cheerfully as I notice a small sapphire blue collar that has a small rusty silver circular name tag that reads "5281 yosemite st, 1(517) 648-7419," I take a deep sigh of relief knowing I walk past that road on my way home.

I start to walk out of the opening as my hair blows through the thorough bitter air. When I get back onto the sidewalk the strong cold breeze slowly turns into a small flurry of pure white snow. I soon pass the sign for shell road and soon enter into the middle of town square, as the breeze becomes colder and colder and I look up towards the sky to see sun slowly start to set into a starry filled night.

I quickly walk inside a nearby cafe to get away from the cold breeze. Immediately a strong essence of rich black coffee fills the air in a graceful manner, I sit at a table that has a silk white cloth draped over it and I continue to look around in awe. Soon a waitress scurry's over to the table and eagerly sets a menu in front of me smiling. "Hello ma'am, what can I get you to drink?" She asks with a smile beaming on her face "Just an espresso and no cream please," I say smiling back at her, she nods and walks away cheerfully. I look through the menu as soft instrumental music plays throughout the cafe, I set the menu back on the table and I slowly turn my head towards the window as the cat sits along the window sill.

A few minutes later the waitress comes back with the cup of coffee and she gracefully set's it on the table, she smiles as she looks up and quietly asks " is there anything I can get you to eat tonight ma'am?" I quickly turn my head towards her and say " no thank you! "

She nods her head and walks away. I let the drink cool down and I continue to watch the snow fall from outside the cafe, soon the tiny bell connected to the door makes a soft chime. Seconds later a woman walks in and she sits down at a table near the fireplace. I glance over at the women just to see she's staring right back at me. I quickly look back at the window as the feeling of embarrassment fills my body, I lean back into the booth and sigh.

I slowly look to my side to see the cat is gone. I started to frantically look around just to see it was sitting in the women's lap. I sigh in relief and I slowly walk to the women's table. " Excuse me, that's my cat miss so if you could please give her back that would be lovely! " I said in a calm tone, she looks up at me and smiles and says " well I'm glad you take care of this cat but this is my cat ma'am she ran out of the house when I was leaving for work." I look at the woman and smile and I sigh a bit relieved " well she's one of the sweetest cats I've ever met to be honest," I say looking down at her. Her face fills with a big smile as she laughs a bit, I start to head back to my table as the woman grabs my hand. I turn my head to face her confused, " Vi Trevult " she says in a soft tone. I turn my body to face her as I smile, " Amber cruise it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Trevult," I say as I smile and go to sit back down at my table.

I take the few last sips of my coffee and leave the money on the table. I walk out of the cafe as I walk out snowflakes slowly fall onto my hair as I walk along the icy sidewalk. As I walk a few steps away from the cafe doors I hear the door open quickly, I slowly glance behind me as I see Vi hastily walking towards me, I slow my steps to a stop as I feel Vi tapping on my shoulder. I look at her as she holds out my scarf " you left this at your table-" she says looking off to the side. I smile looking at her as I take the scarf from her hands " oh!- thank you!" I say as I wrap the scarf around my neck. She smiles and walks back inside the cafe, as I start walking again Vi says in a soft tone, " have a good night miss Amber..." the glass door too the cafe slowly closes right after. I pause my footsteps and I could feel the warmth of my body flow into my cheeks, I glance towards the cafe door and I smile softly. I start walking once again and I start to head home.

As I walk up the apartment building stairs I slowly take my keys out of my pocket, and as I walk up to my door I hesitate before I unlock my door and walk inside. As I close the door behind me. I walk inside and I throw my keys on the counter as I sigh of exhaustion, as I walk to my bedroom I slowly take my red wool scarf off my neck. I take my winter jacket off and hang it up on the stand near the door and I quickly change into a white baggy t-shirt and a pair of gray shorts. I walk into the bathroom and I look up in the mirror wondering if I'll ever meet her again. I finish my nightly routine and I head to my bed and I slowly start to fall asleep.