At The Bottom of The Coffee Cup

A Drawing For You

        I watch as a guy goes up and hands Aurora a piece of paper. I found out her name today and it is so pretty. But I sit there confused, and then I and the guy from yesterday make eye contact but I look down, trying to figure this out. Which guy is it? I mean, they're both cute, but which one? I look at the picture of the guy from yesterday and rip it out, I was planning on giving it to him but what if it's this new guy and not him? Instead, I decide to write a letter. 

Dear Cafe Boy,

I would write you a poem back, however, I suck at them and I don't want to mock the beauty of your words. It's an art. And it was great to thank you. I hope to meet you one day and say hi. Face to face. 

Sincerely, 

Cafe Girl

           I fold the paper in half and finish up my food. By the time I look up, both of them were gone. I get my stuff and walk to Aurora. I hand her the paper with a smile. "You don't mind, right?" She shakes her head furiously. "No, this is so cute. I love that I'm a part of this in the least creepy way possible." She says, taking a bite out of her sugar cookie. 

"Thanks again, I'll see you tomorrow." She nods with the cookie still in her mouth. I smile and jog out the door. When I get out I wave my hand for a taxi. I hop in the car and the older man starts to drive. "The art gallery down the road please," I say, putting my red purse down on the chair. 

"No problem, sweetheart." He continues to drive picking up the speed just a tad. I lean my head back and look at my phone. Jade messaged. 

"Can you come home please....I'm lonely." I giggle at the message. 

"Sorry, I'm out on a date." I lie, knowing she will get excited. As I lock my phone I immediately get a response. 

"REALLY?!?!?!?!" This time my laugh Is loud. 

"No, I lied. I'm going to the art gallery alone. And THEN I'll be on my way home." I lock my phone and the taxi stops. "Here you go. Thank you." I say handing him the money. 

"No problem. Have a nice day, love." I grab my purse. and hop out of the vehicle. I go to the museum and start my tour. I heard many things about this place and I had to come. Many people said that this place was owned a young guy in his mid-twenties. This place is great though. I stop at this painting of a lonely child. 

"Isn't it so interesting? I wonder what it's supposed to be...all I see is lines." A girl beside me says her fiery red hair is framing her face and she is shorter than me, I smile and hold out my hand to her. "Rachel," She meets my hand with hers and shakes it softly. 

"Celeste." I nod. 

"Celeste, that's quite a beautiful name. And there is a little kid there, all alone. Look at the middle." I say showing her the kid. She looks shocked. 

"Wow...I have never seen that. Wow, you're a genius." I smile and she waves goodbye. "Nice meeting you, Rachel." I wave back. 

"Nice meeting you too, have a nice day." As she turns around a man runs down the stairs and bolts through the door. He seems awfully familiar. I continue on with my tour of the art gallery and it is just fantastic, it all fits one theme which I appreciate. I stop at this one other painting with a sad couple. I observe it quietly. After a take a full tour of the art gallery. I go outside and feel the breeze hit my skin.

              I walk to the bus stop and wait for the bus to come. I see a grandma walking past and she looks so happy. I watch her and smile. I wonder what is making her so happy and I hope that in my old age I would be able to be that happy. As the bus pulls up, I get on and sit in the back. I look out the window, watching the people passing me by. I get off at my stop and walk home. I look at the time and it's 4 o'clock. I take out my keys and unlock the door. Upon entering, I see Jade sitting watching the TV, looking the same. "DID YOU GET UP AT ALL." I say and I sigh as I put my bag down and hang up my jacket. 

"Yes..." I raise my eyebrows. 

"When?" She doesn't look at me. 

"When I got more lucky charms." She says as she stands up. 

"Go get ready. Our gig is in 30 minutes. And it takes us 5 minutes by car. BUT we have to be at least 20 minutes early, so you have a solid 10 minutes to get ready." She starts counting on her fingers. 

"Wait no, I have 15." I shake my head and walk past her." Knowing you, you be will late so I'm giving you extra time." She laughs and I head to my room, packing our sheet music and our microphones. I get our dresses and makeup and hair stuff in a bag. I walk outside and put everything into the trunk of our Jeep. I sit in the car waiting for Jade. She comes right on time and we head out. She drives us to our gig. 

          When we get there our boss Jennifer sees us and greets us. "The stars of tonight have arrived. Ok, let's go. You guys have 45 minutes to get ready 10 minutes to warm up and then we will get you on stage. Here's the setlist." She hands it to us leading us to our dressing room. We work at a jazz restaurant where a lot of rich people come to watch and eat. We go into the dressing room. Once we get in, I close the door and hang our dresses up. "Did you practice?" Jade plugs in the straightener. 

"I memorized it." I shake my head getting out the makeup. 

"No, I mean your piano." She stands up and pretends to think hard. 

"Hmmmmm yes?" I sigh.

"Jade." She laughs. 

"I'm just kidding relax, I practiced." She straightens her hair to make it bone straight and once it's done, it elegantly falls down her back. She then curls her bangs. I put my curls up in a sophisticated style, leaving some strands in front of my face. She does our makeup for the both of us and then we put on the matching blue, sparkling, tight-fitting dresses. The dress is long sleeved and has a deep cut in the back. We look at each other. "Perfect." We both say at the same time. We get our sheet music for the piano and our microphones. We hand them to the tech guy mike and warm quickly and then walk backstage. The light dimmers. "Goodnight, everyone. We have a great act for you tonight. We have compiled songs that were requested by you guys tonight to bring the best possible act. Please welcome the jazz sisters, Rachel and Jade." We come out and wave as they all stand and clap for us. We bow and we start to play the set of music. After an hour of us, both singing and playing for each other, Jade finishes off the show and we stand up, getting a round of applause. We smile from ear to ear. We head backstage and when we do, dinner, flowers, and chocolates are waiting for us. We sit down and eat. "That was a great first show. " I say finishing up my pasta. 

"Did you hear my voice crack in the 3rd piece," Jade says laughing. I laugh with her. 

"I thought you did it on purpose." I saying laughing even harder. She gives me a death stare and I get out of my dress changing back into my normal clothes, still laughing. We both pack up and head out the door. Jen stops us at the door handing us two envelopes. 

"Your tips." She says, smiling. We look at each other happily. 

"We still get paid next week Thursday, right?" Jade asks. She nods. "Of course, you guys were amazing tonight; the crowd loved you guys. See you in two days." We smile at her and with that, we pack out stuff into our Jeep and head back home.