SERENDIPITY || Jan Rozmanowski

i.i

Working with children is absolutely soul draining. As much as Summer loved seeing children smile so freely, seemingly without a single worry in their little heads, and amongst all - their innocence, it always reminded her of the past. Of the mistakes that were too grave for her own good.

But, as a hostess and regional manager, Summer couldn't express the melancholy that would too often rest upon her soul. She had to maintain the welcoming smiles of false pretense. For the sake of her position at the job at the children's game room, she had to stitch on the mask of happiness. Yet, things weren't so bad. Above all, Summer did like her job and the people she worked with. They were all so welcoming towards her, so friendly and comforting that she could even call some of her co-workers friends at that point.

"W porządku wszyscy! Wszyscy wykonaliście dzisiaj świetną robotę, do zobaczenia rano!"
(Alright everyone! You all did a great job today, I'll see you in the morning!)

If anything, she finally picked up those Polish classes, and after a month, she was able to communicate with her co-workers in their mother tongue, as well as with the children and their parents. Summer was rather proud of her accomplishments thus far, if she was asked. Seeing everyone get out and locking the building, she took her phone out to check the time. "It's already past ten?" She mumbled to herself, walking towards the nearest bus stop. It was Saturday, which meant she had to lay out a working schedule for the upcoming week and then send it to everyone. "I do think I saw a 24-hour cafe here somewhere.."

After looking around like a mindless fool for a couple of minutes, she decided to embrace technology and simply search it up. Contented with the results she got, she settled on going to the one that was only two stops away from her. Putting her headphones on, Summer relaxed once playing her currently favorite playlist. It was already the middle of March, and the constant raining stopped at last, the warmth of summer only inches away. Although, it definitely wasn't as cold as it was merely a month ago, the cool wind still brushed against her face, making her wrap her coat around herself tightly.

Ever since she ran into that boy, that she definitely regrets not taking a number from, Summer started going out and exploring the city more. On some days, she'd just walk the quiet streets at the dead of the night, with the moon high above and gracing her with its soft light. It helped her clear her head when she wasn't able to sleep, or simply because she didn't wish to give in to the frightening chains of her nightmares. And sometimes, when she had her days off, she'd explore local malls, coffee shops or just roam the supermarkets to fill her fridge. Because of her unlikely adventures, she navigated her way to the cafe as soon as she got off the bus, without the help of her phone.

'At this point, I could even be considered a local.'

Summer thought to herself, unconsciously puffing her cheeks with swelling pride.

Once walking inside the cafe, she found herself a cozy looking spot right behind the counter. It was further away from the door,so she wouldn't get disturbed by people coming in and the chilly air that would surge in. And at the same time she had a clear view of the whole room, placing her heart at ease. It was an old habit of hers, to need to observe her surroundings, especially if she was alone, and if she by any chance wasn't able to do so, her leg would start bouncing. Quietly and slowly at first, but as her mind would start running and coming up with all of the possibilities that could happen and how she wouldn't be able to get out, it would start becoming more intense. To the point where it was rather noticeable and noisy. Then her hands would find each other, picking at her nails, running her fingers across her palm.

But her choice of seating was a good one. Good enough for her to sit back in her chair comfortably, and take out her notebook and a pen. She lined out a chart, for seven days in a week and two shifts. She took her other notebook, where she kept notice of all birthdays that they had checked, to compare the shifts. Summer started filling her chart accordingly, keeping a balance with free days, who works ordinary shifts and who will be working birthdays. At some point a waitress stopped by her table and Summer opted for a simple long espresso with milk, which she ordered in Polish.