The Coffee Shop

The light chime of a bell sounded above him, happily marking the entrance of another customer. The smell of coffee and doughnuts reached Charles almost instantly. The warmth of the whole place overtook his body, pushing the cold off his shoulders. The light and hearty chatter made its way to his ears almost mockingly. He longed to take part in that coffee shop talk once again, but he was missing something, or more likely, someone.

Ignoring the numb feeling that overtook his body, he made his way to the counter to order. It was odd, there was no line, but that made for a quick order and quick service. He paid for his hot chocolate and muffin before looking for a place to sit within the four beige walls. It was too cold to sit outside.

Despite there being no line, the place was packed. All of the tables were filled, except for the table that seated two. It was in the corner, but was next to the window so it seemed a little more open. Charles froze, staring at the table. He could feel the memories beginning to rise. He sat at the table anyway.

"Would it be alright if I sit here? There is nowhere else to sit and I am sure we could both use the company."

The words had been spoken by a total stranger that day, oh so long ago. A gentle smile upon his face as he waited for some sort of answer. His dark brown hair had been well kept and his teeth the whitest Charles had ever seen. His light blue business suit had been without a wrinkle, just the same as his face. Charles would later find out his name was Jonathan.

Charles's hand subconsciously gripped the disposable coffee cup tightly, causing it to crumple beneath his hand. The contents started to spill but he didn't notice, too lost in the memory. It wasn't until Charles looked down at his had that he realised what had happened. The pain only then processed in his brain and he let out a small yelp.

"Oh my, are you alright?" the stranger asked. They had been getting along quite well, talking about whatever came to their minds. But now Charles was covered in hot coffee. He jumped up from his seat, trying to save himself from the burning sensation.

It had been a simple accident, a knocked over cup that lead to the burning liquid landing on Charles's lap. The stranger had instantly offered to help. He offered to pay for the cleaning of Charles's pants as he handed him napkins for the mess. Of course neither of them had known that that simple offer would lead to more.

There was no one to help Charles now though. He was alone in this coffee shop full of people. Some people looked over but did nothing to help. With his hand stinging, he grabbed the napkins from the dispenser and started to clean up his mess. First he took care of his hand, then the small brown table before him.

As he did so, more memories made themselves present. So many memories of their acquaintance growing into friendship and then more. All of it flashed in Charles's inner eye. All of it until the horrible memory that has taken his love from him.

Charles had ended up taking Jonathan up on his offer to pay for his dry cleaning. The reason for that? It was an excuse to see the stranger once again. Charles and Jonathan had gone to the dry cleaners and Jonathan had paid for it, just as he said he would. As they were leaving though, Jonathan had spoken some unexpected words:

"Would you like to go and get lunch with me?"

Charles had taken him up on his offer once again. They had gotten along just as well as they had the first day they met. Slowly their relationship had begun to grow. Acquaintances slowly turned into friends, and friends slowly turned into best friends, then from best friends to lovers. Anyone who spoke to them could tell that they were clearly in love.

The coffee shop where they had met became a frequent spot for their dates. They loved to go there knowing it was the place they had met. They would go there, and sit in the same corner spot every time. It was their spot everyone seemed to know that. They had become frequent customers, coming at least once every month on the anniversary that they had met.

The day November 21st became special to them. It marked the day they met, the day they started dating, and the day they had been ripped apart.

They hadn't been expecting anything to happen that day. They had been together for four years at this point and had become practically inseparable. It was their four year anniversary and they had gone to the little cafe once again. The date had gone fine, they still got along like they had the first time they had met. For them, it seemed like there was no end to this honeymoon phase that they were experiencing.

Snow was falling heavily and they knew that it would be best if they cut their date short. They didn't want to get stuck in slow traffic or have to deal with slippery roads. They both agreed that it be best if they left. So that is what the did.

Gathering their things, they headed outside to the snow covered world. They kept slipping and sliding as they walked, for the sidewalk seemed to be covered in ice. They could hardly see their car across the street the snow was coming down that thickly.

"Maybe we should go back inside for a bit," Jonathan suggested, "see if this lightens up."

Charles being as stubborn as he was continued the way to their car. He had plans of snuggling on the couch and watching movies with Jonathan. It was the perfect weather for it after all. He was sure Jonathan would agree.

Now eager to get home, Charles didn't bother to look for any coming cars. He just began to cross the street, a smile spread across his face. He turned to look at Jonathan. "Come on, we can go home an-"

"Charles!" Jonathan yelled, running towards him. Confusion hit Charles the same time Jonathan did. But at the same time, as the car drove past him as he fell back, both of them left him. The confusion was gone and so was Jonathan, hit by the car that would have hit Charles instead.

As Charles sat there in that spot in the coffee shop where they had first met, he couldn't help as the tears slid down his face. All the memories clouded his brain, stabbing him with their presence. Jonathan was gone, and there was no coming back. Instead of coming here monthly, he came to the cafe once a year. Only on the anniversary that it had all began, and the day it ended.