Wish Upon A Sunset

Story Time Cafe

Emma

Present Day...

My nightmares were getting out of control. More and more, I found myself losing sleep at night and I worried that something was wrong with me. Why were these flashbacks hitting so hard? Was it because I was finding myself constantly surrounded by bits and pieces of my old life?

Even now, reliving that night in my mind, my heart raced. If that was the case, that my new surroundings were triggering these repressed memories, then I had better settle in and get used to it. I had a horrible feeling that the more reminders I had of my old life, the more these memories would consume me. Bury me.

And I was already suffocating as it was.

Shuddering at the thought, I quickened my pace towards the middle of town. I was going to take Molly's advice and purchase that book that she had recommended yesterday. Maybe it would provide me with some answers, and with it, some peace.

I had googled 'bookstores in the area' earlier and, to my delight, they had built a book cafe a couple of years ago, right next to the pharmacy owned by Mr. Higgins, that crotchety old man. I had snickered when I had imagined his reaction when he realized what was being built next door. Some people just didn't like change.

The first drop of rain fell from the sky and I inhaled deeply, the air filled with the earthy scent of wet asphalt and rain, mingling with the promise of steaming coffee from the local cafe. It was enough to lift my spirits. Who needed therapy when you had coffee?

Stepping up onto the curb outside of Mr. Higgins' pharmacy, I saw an adorable old-timey sign made of wood hanging in front of the book cafe. It had an image of an open book sitting next to a steaming cup of coffee with the words "Story Time Cafe" scrawled in a blackletter font.

Excitement ran through me and I sidestepped a woman with a young child carrying an umbrella as I walked inside. I was such a nerd. I had always dreamed of owning a book cafe someday, a dream I had entertained years before I met Zack. Before everything changed.

Sighing, I pushed the sadness aside. I was on a mission right then. I could be sad later when there weren't eyes all around me, judging my every move.

The rain fell harder as the door swung shut behind me.

The rich, smoky aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the calming notes of jazz music surrounded me when I first walked into the cozy establishment. I sucked in a sharp breath and looked around in childlike wonder. This place was the most charming little coffee shop I had ever seen.

Across from me, from the entrance, was the brewing station set behind a counter made of bookshelves. Hanging globe lights illuminated the chalkboard menu, which was centered directly behind the counter and framed on both sides by bookshelves reaching from floor to ceiling with ladders leaning against each one.

To my right were several little wooden tables that were only big enough to fit two at most, and people enjoying their coffee and reading their books occupied several of them.

To my left were two overstuffed armchairs with a small table set between them. Behind each chair was a window that looked out towards Main Street, the heavy rain streaking down the glass, its rhythmic pinging complementing the jazz music playing overhead. But what drew my attention was the faux fireplace that sat between the windows, shedding its warm light on the sitting area. The heat from that fire reached all the way over by the entrance, thawing the cold that had seeped into my skin on the walk over here.

The entire aesthetic was like a cozy cabin and I knew that this sitting area would become my new favorite spot in my new favorite coffee shop.

The barista took my order, and I wandered over to the bookshelves while I waited for my coffee. Thank goodness the shelves were organized by categories, just like a regular bookstore, because it took me no time at all to find what I was looking for. Luckily, I also found another book-a favorite-and hugged it close to my chest in happiness.