The Cafe

The Cafe

Written by Liliana Smit

A simple man, halfway through his life, sat down at a table for two in a cafe window. Pulling out his journal from his slick leather work bag, and a black inked pen from his shirt’s pocket. He yawned and stretched his arms out in front of him. The gentle glow of the rising sun greeting the steam of his cup of coffee, essential in every mans morning.

The smell of chocolate and pastries forms the aroma of every cafe, this one was peaceful. Most cafes are packed with early birds and busy working people, but this cafe was merely empty creating an atmosphere everyone wishes to feel in the stressful mornings of modern life. The simple man sipped his coffee and scribbled in his journal until a beautiful young woman approached the tired man. The faint smell of vanilla seemed to follow her.

“May I take your order, sir?” The young woman looked down at him, her smile beaming. The man looked up at her with wide eyes, he’d never thought he would get the chance to see her again.

“Y-yes, I would like another coffee, please. Oh! And one of those delicious blueberry muffins you make.” Wrinkles formed in the corners of his eyes as he returned her smile.

“Of course, I’ll be right back.” The barista turned and continued her work. The smile on her face was genuine, radiating the feeling you get when you've found something special you lost as a child. The man's smile faded, ashamed at the willingness and ignorance he had to leave her all those years ago.

With glossy eyes, he spoke, “If only I could go back, I would. Just to hold my baby girl again.”