the bell chimes behind me as i stepped inside and immediately I scanned the small densely packed store for her.
she was kind of short now that i thought about it.
probable 5 ft 3 - or somewhere there about.
i couldn't find her in the store but eventually i saw her standing by the counter.
I hung the camera around my neck and randomly grabbed a potato chips as I approached the counter slowly - mind you, I hate potato chips.
"nunu, what would you like today?" an old man with a pleasant face but gruff features asked and in response the pretty lady motioned to the coffee machine.
the cafe mocha to be exact.
"That'll be 5.99" he said and she offered nervous hand gestures in response.
i was quite rusty with sign language but i could find my way around some words with context clues.
"I only have five at the moment but can I carry the rest later?" was what she was trying to say and my brows furrowed.
couldn't she speak?
"nunu...you know i don't really understand what you're saying..plus..."
"hello, pleasant day to ya. I'd like to pay for this" i chimed and and both their eyes flashed to mine.
her brilliantly pigmented green eyes met mine and a flush rose to her cheeks as her breathing hitched.
"If you'd allow me to" i signed to her, offering a reassuring grin and her pupils dilated instinctively.
she nodded reluctantly and in a matter of seconds we had been walking through the snow back to her makeshift booth.
as soon as we got there i caught a rough sketch of a new drawing but it was soon forgotten as the snowflakes began to fall faster and heavier.
her booth had no shelter.
"would you like to sit with me in my car? until this is over" I signed to her and yet again reluctance made its home on her face but she nodded meekly regardless of her hesitance.
at some point when we were seated in my van, watching the wipers wipe away the persistent snow flakes, i remembered something and tried to free my hands from the nervous white knuckled grip i had on the steering wheel.
"my name is Jacob brewers" i found myself finally uttering and she took in a sharp breath at the sound of my voice then she looked across at me.
cheeks rosy
nose rosy
lips rosy
"and you must be nunu" i added and a small smile curved her plump chapped pink lips.
"pleasure meeting you" she signed reaching out a shaking hand to me.
my heart rose.
