Civil Skies

Tip off the Scale

I walk out the kitchen doors carrying a white ceramic mug filled with coffee. Outside the large windows I can see the small raindrops falling out of the sky only to signal the beginning of a shower. I make my way over to the customer and I set the coffee down on the small wooden table offering the man cream and sugar. He kindly declines and I walk away. I set down my apron on the front counter in front of the kitchen and let out a small sigh. I sit down. I'm starving at this point. It's about time for my break. It was around twelve o'clock when I opened my lunch bag. With me being hungry and all, I could smell every bit and crumb of food in the shop. The sweet smell of moist strawberry shortcake and the deep rich cinnamon buns with sugary glaze filled the air. Inside my lunch box there was a ham and cheese croissant with a salad and water. Boring. Once again the same old lunch on the same old Monday. I let out a large sigh again.
The chef in the kitchen looks up and places one of his hands on his hip.
"Whats got you so depressed kid. Geesh! Don't bring your fat black negative energy to linger around and feast on young children that play in the streets."
I look up at Francis. I see his friendly smile along with a look of concern. Francis is a great man really. He was around forty six years old with a frisky graying beard and glasses. He was a great friend who would help anyone out. We often enjoyed taking our breaks together to make fun of customers and laugh at them behind the counter. Here we worked at a small cafe on the corner of the street. We were in a small place just between the countryside and the busy city of Paris. Here we had a small two story place with a kitchen and cafe area and up a cramped flight of stairs there was a cozy library filled with many books. Tourists, older people, and big readers were often attracted to our place. It was often a perfect safe haven that was warm with food and pages in books on rainy days. I look up to Francis,
"You know things haven't been moving forward much. I'm just so tired with life. Things aren't new anymore and I am just really, really, REALLY bored. Maybe it's just me, but I think everyone is feeli-"
"It's just you kid. Come on now. Babies are born, romances begin, school starts and ends. Everyone is moving forward with things and so should you. My advice...go out and do something today it's only halfway done. It's fine just go, you've been like this for awhile."
I return his look with an appreciative smile.
"You know what Francis? Thanks! I'll take you up on that offer. "
I stand up over the counter and give him a giant hug. I can hear his deep laughter as he hugs me back.
"You're welcome Andrée."
After finishing lunch, I pack up my things, put my hair into a messy bun, and walk out the door. I immediately realize it's starting to rain harder so I throw on my green raincoat and red rain boots and open my umbrella. I walk to my little car and hop in. Once I got inside the car I began to shiver. My long curly hair was soaked and my brown skin was shivering from the cold. I started the engine and drove onto the main single road that led to my little apartment. There I shared the place with my best friend Courtney who worked at a little pet shop a couple of minutes away. Our apartment was just inside the city because it was all we could really afford. Expensive as it was, we managed to find a run down place that we were able to fix up. I got home and ran inside and up the stairs. I got my keys out and opened the door to be welcomed by Chairman Meow, our cat. I sat down my bags and went over to get his canned food. I grabbed one of the cans and headed over to the kitchen as he quickly followed me. I opened the can while he cuddled against my leg, and when I placed the food into his bowl, he began to ravage it down in an instant. Chairman was an adorable American Curl cat. He could a bit of an ass at times, but he was really a sweet fur ball that enjoyed snuggling. I decided to start a fire in the fireplace and sit down and relax on the couch. Letting out a breath of relief I sat there listening to the silence and the cat smacking his lips over food. Sitting there I realized that I was bored. I wanted to do something and have fun, so I grabbed my phone and dialed the number.