Parks & Cafés

Affogato&Affogato

Just past the library on the left hand side of the road. 115 Charleston Ave. There's a cafe. A quaint little place to study and have coffee. I had never been there before and it was my first time. I didn't know what to expect, but I had heard a few students talking about the place and decided to give it a try. I'm not sure if it was fate or just good timing that I choose the second Tuesday of the month to go. But you were there.

I walked into the cafe. I instantly felt a bit overwhelmed by the amount of unfamiliar faces. I was never good with new people or big crowds. I removed my beanie from my head and then took my scarf from my neck. I looked around for a cozy corner to work in and thankfully found one.

As I walked towards the table I noticed that each one had a whiteboard and markers upon it. I didn't understand what they were for, but didn't think about it too hard. I sat at the table and sighed to myself. I picked up the menu and pretended to go over it. I just didn't want to look as lonely as I felt.

"Actually Sofía?" I looked up to see you. I couldn't hold my smile back this time. I don't know if I thought you lived in the library or something, but I never expected to see you outside of the library. But there you were. Big brown eyes and maple brown skin, flashing a smirk down at me.

"Actually Nick." I replied.

I didn't have to say anything, and I was happy I didn't. You helped yourself; taking the empty seat across from me in my lonely booth. You picked up the small whiteboard and a green marker. I watched you with a smile still upon my lips and slight confusion upon my mind. You opened the marker and wrote something. You then closed the marker and slide the board across the table towards me.

I didn't know you came here. It read. I smiled, mostly out of confusion but a part of me found it cute.

"Well-"

"Shh." You held the mark up like a finger to your lips as you silenced me. You handed me the marker, followed by a dry eraser; and I got the hint.

I opened the marker and jotted a few words as neatly as I could; This is my first time. I just wanted to try out the cafe. I slide the whiteboard over to you. I couldn't help but feel a bit silly.

You nodded before erasing and writing; By yourself?

Well...yeah. Why not? I wrote back.

Just wondering.

The aroma of the cafe was strong with chocolate and coffee. It made me long for a cup of the over caffeinated hot liquid. I looked over at you and took the whiteboard.

You come here often?

You looked at me and nodded, allowing me to keep the board. I erased my words and wrote a new message.

Is the coffee any good?

You took the menu that I once pretended to read and circled a few things with your dry erase marker. You then took the board from me and wrote; Best things on the menu are circled.

I looked at the menu and noticed that one thing in particular was circled a few times. You signaled the waitress over. She smiled down at the both of us and asked what we wanted. You didn't hesitate to write your order on the board, and so I did the same.

I wrote the triple circled item, and you wrote the same thing.

Affogato and Affogato.

Our waitress smiled a bit as she wrote down our order and walked off. It didn't take long at all for her to return with our drinks. They were stored in beautiful glasses with a stick of cinnamon on the side. I felt kind of unsure about the drink, but still decided to give it a taste.

I took my first sip and practically melted. My eyes looked at you in approval. I had already gotten use to communicating without speech and so I simply rolled my head back in delight before nodding a half dozen times.

You smiled again. It was the second time I had seen you flash a real smile. I liked your smile. I liked you.