Coffee for Two

Chapter 5: Just Here for the Coffee

   From that night on, Snufkin visited Moomin at the little coffeeshop every morning. He would be up, bright and early, up before many of the other residents of Moominvalley. There would be some stagnation in his visits, and Moomin would feel a small tug at his heart. But he would always be back the next day, with more stories to tell and laughter to share. Their time together was not always long; he would leave if too many people began to crowd the shop, or leave to fish and travel along the forest. Moomin was always sad when their time was over, but thought often of their talks whilst lying awake at night.
One day, Snufkin entered the shop especially early.
"Hi Snufkin! First customer of the day! Coffee?" joked Moomin. Snufkin smiled and nodded, seating himself at the bar. Moomin grabbed a recently cleaned mug and poured a fresh pot for his friend. The aroma and the steam of hot, black coffee hit his face, warming him and waking him up simultaneously. The dark liquid swirled in the cup as he poured. Before placing it in front of his friend, he warned, "Be careful, it's quite hot." Snufkin nodded and sipped some, playing with the handle before speaking.
"Moomin, I'll be leaving today for a week, I have some business down south."
Moomin stopped drying the cup he held in his hand. "Oh...is everything alright?"
"Yes, its just to run a small errand. I'll be back sooner than you can imagine and I'll tell you all about it." Oof. Moomin hoped he didn't look as dejected as he felt. He began to think of the week ahead of him that seemed to last forever. Suddenly, an idea came to him as his ears perked and he went, "Oh, Snufkin? Maybe you could take me with you? It can be like our journey up to the loney mountains, or us finding the cave down at the beach!"
Snufkin shook his head. "Sorry Moomintroll, not this time. It'll only be a week my friend," he said. Moomin almost flattened his ears to his head before he nodded. "Alright...Stay safe on your travels Snufkin. Would you like Moominmama to pack you any food?" Snufkin thought for a moment, then replied, "If that's not too much trouble, then could you ask?" Moomin perked up again, and immediately ran off saying," I'll ask Mama right away!"
Snufkin sighed, wishing he could forget how sad Moomin looked when he told him he was leaving. How would the little troll react when he would eventually leave for the south?
———————
Moomin came back, far from empty handed, and plopped the food in front of Snufkin. "Oof! I hope you have enough space in your bag, Mama sure did pack enough for a small pack of woodies, eh?"
The mumrik resisted the urge to laugh, and replied, "I only pack necessities." Leaning his head on his hand, Moomin sighed and said, "I wish I could be as free as you, Snufkin." Snufkin shrugged. "You could, if you wanted to." Come be free with me, a small voice in his head sounded. Another one went foolish, you can't be free with another person.
"Snufkin? Snufkin, you really think so?" He blinked a few times, refocusing on the conversation. "Yes, I suppose you could. But what of your parents Moomintroll?" "Oh..." At this Moomin scratched his chin. "Haha, maybe that's something for me to think about later, being free, I mean." He untied the bag of food to alleviate the silence and showed Snufkin all the jars and wrapped foods that Moominmama prepared. There was one jar of jams, another of pickled vegetables, three loaves of bread, a small wrapped box of various berries, two dried fish tied together with twine, a tall container filled with lemonade, coffee beans, and a small note wishing him luck. "Please tell Moominmama that I am grateful for all the help and food she's provided", said Snufkin, eyes wide in awe at her preparation. Moomin beamed. The wonders that his mother could manage in 15 minutes was simply unbelievable.
The pair talked a while more as the sun peeked its head a little higher over Moominvalley. It would come up slowly over the purple mountaintops and shine its golden rays on the peaceful town. Moomin's eyes could not hide his utter amazement with his friend as he finished his story of another daring escape from the park keeper. Snufkin's jaw began to ache from smiling so much at Moomin's little jokes and anecdotes about his clumsiness. After a while, Snufkin glanced over at the clock. It was almost 9 am, Snorkmaiden and Little My's shift began in an hour, and he needed to start walking. "Well, I think its time for me to begin my travels. I'll see you again, Moomin." Moomin wished time could stop right then and there. "I'll be waiting with more coffee!" Snufkin took the bag of food and left, although not before waving once last goodbye to Moomin. Once he was out of sight, Moomin buried his face in his paws. What was he thinking, I'll be waiting with more coffee? His mind raced with ideas of better farewells as a familiar feeling crept into his heart. The small tug that pulled at his heart seemed to have reached its way into his heart's chambers, lying as heavy as lead within.