Prejudice and Pride

Family Ties

Maisie gently applied pressure to the brakes and put on her right blinker. Out of nowhere, the car behind her swerved to the left, before quickly moving back to the right, cutting her off by mere inches. It culminated with a middle finger out the window and 15 seconds of horn blowing. Her heart pounded. Nashville wasn't very far but she rarely came to the city and this was only her second time alone. That in itself was a nerve-wracking feat but one she had felt compelled to accomplish.

So much had been happening in her life. There had been so many recent changes, with starting school, beginning a courtship with Urijah, and becoming friends with Kai. It had all been overwhelming and at times, exciting. Through it all, there had been some weird internal struggle. And there was only one person she knew she could talk to, only one person she wanted to talk to. The one person she missed more than anyone in the world.

There had been mention of a coffee shop years ago. Maisie had never forgot the name. Once a few years ago, she had driven by and parked across the street. She had waited and watched and sure enough, she had seen her walk in about an hour later. She had looked so happy and Maisie had wanted to say something, to get out of her car and run inside. Instead, she had only watched. And now here she was again. Waiting and watching but this time she'd had the courage to walk inside.

"How may I help you?" the friendly barista smiled from across the counter.

"Um, coffee, please."

"Cappucino, Frappe, Café Mocha, Irish, Flat White, Café Americano, Latte, Affogado, Café Macchiato, Turkish, Ristretto, Cortado, or Café au lait?"

"Um...black, two sugars, please?" Maisie felt her cheeks burn.

Whenever she was out of the church community she had been around her whole life, Maisie felt uncomfortably out of place.

"Sure. Small, medium, or large?"

"Medium, thank you."

She paid with cash and took a seat by the window. Her father had always preached that the city, even the world in general, was a scary and sinful place. But sitting by the window, watching the first hint of the leaves turning colors, seeing women happily pushing baby strollers, and couples walk hand in hand...the city and the world didn't seem so scary or so sinful. Maisie was overcome with a sense of quiet contentment and peace.

She sat there for hours. It warmed her heart to think they had maybe sat in that same seat, staring dreamily out of the same window, even thinking the same thoughts. The people that worked at the shop were so nice. She had bought another coffee and was given a complimentary pastry, called a scone. And every patron that came in and sat to read the paper or work on their laptops, or just stare out the window, had greeted Maisie with a genuine and welcoming smile.

At school she often felt out of place, as everyone was so busy and so consumed with their own lives and schedules. Within the community, she sometimes felt like she didn't belong either. But this place...there was something almost quietly magical about it. She could understand the appeal. If someone wanted to run away, this would definitely be the ideal place to go. The type of place where you could go, start over, and never looked back.

The door swung open like it had a few dozen times that morning, the welcome chime ringing in the background. Maisie looked up and her breath caught in her throat. It was just a brief side profile, followed by a back view of long light brown hair. The mannerisms, the hint of laughter...Maisie knew instantaneously who it was. This was the moment she had waited for and the reason she had come. It was now or never.

"Hey Lottie, your usual?"

"Vanilla frappe, no whip. Thank you."

Maisie stood, her legs shaking so hard that she bumped her knee against the table. She walked up to her, wanting to tap her on the shoulder but before she could, the other young woman turned around and they were face to face for the very first time in a long time.