It was the most popular coffee shop in town. This morning, it was especially busy and filled with the scent of sweet pastries and bitter coffee beans. She waited in line, impatiently checking the time every minute. A bell rang with each customer who entered the shop. They filled the room with chatter and body heat. She felt the smooth coins between her fingers and watched as each customer approached the counter. She finally reached the cashier, who was clicking her nails along the countertop. She spoke with a voice that was sweeter than the sugar cookies that were piled beside her. She silently poured the impatient costumer's coffee and it slowly filled a paper cup. The milk swirled and marbled throughout the black, bitter liquid before being stirred with the swish of a spoon. Before the bowl of sugar cubes could make it onto the counter, the customer had gone and exchanged the warm coffee cup, for a pile of change. The bell on the door rang once more as she left for work. It seemed like every pair of eyes followed her out, but she was too busy to notice. The cashier shrugged, crumpled the receipt and addressed the next in line.
