Follow The Rain

Ten

De Ja Vû was one of those small, cosy places that feel like home as soon as you step inside. Part bakery, part restaurant, it was situated on the end of the line of buildings on the beach front. The exterior was painted a dull grey but the interior was a warm maroon with rich dark brown tables and chairs. The entrance was adorned with two lanterns on either side and fairy lights were strung across the far wall.

Soft piano was playing in the background and I recognised the aroma of coffee coming from the bakery side of the room. My mother, father and I sat at a table for four near the fireplace and away from the entrance. The waitress handed us the small paperback menus and I ordered a Ceylon tea with honey to warm me up.

My seat faced the lit fireplace and I could hear the soft ticking of the large vintage clock above me, reminding me that time still wasn't stopping for anyone. The pianist was to my left and was playing a soft melody that made me feel nostalgic for a reason I did not know. The atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to overwhelm me with memories as I took in the sounds and smells of a place I had loved for years.

Our conversation was unusually choppy as we waited on our food and drinks. The place my mother had thought would do us good only made it harder to believe that Camryn really was gone. Not only did I miss my twin, I also missed my sight. I tried not to let it get to me but it did.

After what felt like a long ten minutes, the waitress placed a cup of tea before me and I sipped it gratefully. My parents discussed the weather and I kept to myself and my tea.

"Kayla?" It wasn't either of my parents who spoke and I turned expectantly to my right where it had come from. "Gosh, hi. How have you been?"

"Jess?" I stammered, slightly surprised. "Um, hi."

"I was just here getting a coffee," she rushed to explain. "I haven't seen you since January..." She trailed off and I instantly noticed her lack of words.

I nodded slowly, taking another sip of my tea. "It's been a while."

"I heard about what happened..." she paused and sat down in the fourth chair at our table. "I'm sorry, Kayla," she said gently and I heard the sincerity in her words. I nodded and looked down at my lap, causing my glasses to fall down my nose.

"It's okay," I barely forced out. I regained my composure and sat up straighter than before. "It's not like I need to see the world to know that it's cruel." I was about to ask her how she was when my mom beat me to it.

"Jess, hi! How are you? It's been so long."

Jess agreed and told of the last few months. She'd moved from our high school to a small college to finish grade 12 and then go on to study fashion design. "It's always been my passion," she explained just as our food arrived and a steaming dish of curry was placed in front of me. She continued, "And Camryn's too. I intend to carry on in her footsteps, just like she wanted."

"Have you spoken to Robin?" I questioned, taking a spoonful of curry and letting the warmth of spice resonate on my tongue.

"Not much," Jess replied, sipping her coffee. "She moved away to live with her uncle in France. She said that staying just reminded her of what happened. But we speak on occasion. She's working in her uncle's French winery and is confident that she will be marrying in the next five years. She explained to me that she's inheriting the winery and will be taking over the business."

"That sounds intense for an eighteen year old," I commented.

"It is. But she seems happy."

I said nothing at that and continued to eat my food but pushed half of it away when I became too full.