Fragments of Us

Chapter Six: Coffee

The gentle hum of the city surrounded Milo as he walked along the familiar streets of Portland. The sky was overcast, casting a soft, muted light on the world below. He zipped his jacket up against the cool breeze and quickened his pace, his destination clear: Brewed Awakenings.

After meeting up with Jason, Milo found himself thinking about the coffee at Brewed Awakenings more than once. It had been rich, smooth, and exactly what he needed that day. The taste lingered in his mind, and now, with a free afternoon ahead of him, he felt like treating himself to another cup. There was something about the way the flavors balanced just right that made it worth the return.

The shop itself had a charm that Milo appreciated more and more each time he thought about it. The warm, earthy tones of the decor, the faint sound of indie music playing in the background, and the subtle aroma of freshly ground coffee beans all gave the place a calming, inviting atmosphere. It felt like a cozy refuge from the busy streets outside.

Pushing open the door to the coffee shop, the familiar jingle of the bell welcomed him in. He stepped inside, already savoring the rich aroma of coffee and baked goods. His eyes wandered over the space, expecting to see the usual barista. Instead, there he was—Atlas, behind the counter, hands steady as he prepared an order.

Atlas looked up as the door closed behind Milo. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the air felt heavy between them. Then, Atlas smiled, a little wider than last time, a little less restrained.

   “Milo,” he said, wiping his hands on a towel and walking up to the counter. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Milo shrugged, trying to keep his tone casual. “I liked the coffee. Figured I’d come by again.”

Atlas's smile deepened. “You already went here?"

   "Yeah, with Jason."

   "Jason Carter?" Atlas clarified. "He's a regular here."

   "It was nice catching up with him."

Atlas's smile deepened. “I’m glad to hear that. What can I get for you this time?”

   “Just a cappuccino.”

   “You got it,” Atlas said, moving efficiently to make the order. The small chatter of the shop filled the space between them—people laughing, plates clinking, coffee machines whirring—but Milo's attention lingered on Atlas, observing him in this role. He seemed different, settled in his own space. Confident.

A few minutes later, Atlas handed over the cup with a soft, “Enjoy,” and Milo took his seat by the window. The shop wasn’t too crowded, just enough patrons to fill the place with life but not too much to overwhelm.

Milo took a sip, the warmth spreading through him as he gazed out the window. The rain had started again, droplets racing down the glass. He allowed himself to relax, focusing on the moment, on the simplicity of sitting in a quiet corner with a good cup of coffee. Just as he was getting comfortable, the chair across from him scraped softly, and when he glanced up, he saw Atlas standing there with a drink in hand.

   “Mind if I join you?” Atlas asked.

Milo hesitated for a second before nodding. “Sure.”

Atlas sat down, setting his cup on the table. For a moment, they just sat there in silence, sipping their drinks. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but the weight of unspoken things lingered between them.

   “How’s your dad?” Atlas asked after a while, breaking the silence.

Milo looked over, surprised. “He’s doing better, actually. Recovery’s slow, but he’s getting there.”

   “I’m glad to hear that.” Atlas nodded, his gaze soft. “I know it must’ve been tough coming back to help take care of him.”

    “Yeah… It’s been an adjustment,” Milo said, glancing out the window. “But it feels good to be here, with my family. Feels like I needed it.”

Atlas leaned back slightly, his eyes still on Milo. “I get that. Sometimes life forces you to slow down, take stock of everything.”

Milo nodded. “Exactly.”

Atlas smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. “So, what have you been up to besides playing caretaker?”

   “Not much. Spending time with my sister, getting back into the swing of things. You know how it goes.”

   “Yeah, I do,” Atlas replied, his tone easy. “Running this place takes up most of my time these days. I wouldn’t trade it, though.”

Milo smiled at that. “You’ve done well for yourself. The shop’s impressive.”

   “Thanks,” Atlas said, a flicker of pride in his eyes. “It wasn’t easy at first, but I think I’ve finally got it where I want it.”

Milo nodded, feeling the familiar pull of old conversations between them. For a moment, it felt like no time had passed at all, like they were two people catching up without any baggage between them.

But then, the conversation shifted.

   “Do you ever think about the past?” Atlas asked, his voice quieter now, more careful.

Milo stiffened slightly, but he didn’t look away. “Sometimes. But not as much as I used to.”

Atlas nodded, his gaze dropping to his cup. “I think about it more than I’d like to admit.”

Milo didn’t respond right away, the silence between them thickening. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to go down this road, to dredge up old memories that had long since faded into the background of his life.

   “I’ve moved on,” Milo finally said, his tone firm but not unkind. “It took a while, but I did.”

Atlas’s jaw tightened slightly, though his expression remained neutral. “I’m glad. I know I hurt you, Milo. I never… I never wanted that.”

Milo looked down at his coffee, stirring it absently. “It was a long time ago, Atlas.”

   “I know,” Atlas said quietly. “But I still think about it.”

Milo leaned back in his chair, watching the rain fall outside. “We’ve both changed.”

Atlas sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Yeah, we have. I guess I just wish things had gone differently.”

Milo didn’t reply right away, allowing the quiet to settle between them. The weight of the past still lingered, but it didn’t crush him the way it once had. It was there, yes, but it wasn’t defining him anymore. He could look at Atlas now and feel the absence of that old love, replaced by something lighter, something closer to closure.

   “We were different people back then,” Milo said eventually, his voice soft. “It’s better now that we’ve moved on.”

Atlas glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “Maybe.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, sipping their coffee and watching the rain. Eventually, Milo glanced at his watch, realizing he had been there longer than planned.

   “I should go,” he said, standing up.

Atlas nodded but didn’t say anything. As Milo turned to leave, Atlas’s voice stopped him.

   “I’m really glad we talked,” Atlas said, his voice soft. “It’s good to see you again, Milo.”

Milo looked back at him, offering a small smile. “Yeah. It was good catching up.”

Without another word, Milo walked out of the shop, the bell jingling softly behind him. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, and as he walked down the street, he realized that despite the past, despite the unresolved feelings between them, he felt lighter.

Some things didn’t need to be fixed. Some things just needed to be acknowledged and then let go.