2 AM

She stepped into the coffee shop at 2 AM and smiled. Empty, as it usually was at this hour, except for smiling Al, who at his usual place by the bar. Perfect.

The barista looked up at her and waved. She nodded and made her way to the counter. With a stifled yawn, he asked, “The usual?”

“The usual.” She grinned as she handed him her card. “Oh, with whip please.”

He took it and rang up her order. “With whipped cream, hmm? Feeling particularly happy today, are we?”

She looked up at him with starry eyes and said, “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Oh, Al, you would not believe how happy my heart is.” She twirled in place, a big smile on her face. “I haven’t been this happy for a long, long time.”

Al surveyed her for a bit. “Did he reply to your…?”

“Yes! And he’ll be coming back tomorrow!” In excitement, she reached out to hug the barista. “I’ll finally get to see him again!”

“I’m… I’m happy for you.” She smelled like cinnamon, evocative yet familiar.

She let go and grinned. “Thank you, Al! You’ve been so nice to me, listening to my silly love stories every night. But you’re always on the graveyard shift! Don’t you miss the sun?”

“You come in every day anyway, and you’re the only brightness I need.” He winked at her.

She laughed. “Oh you. I might change my schedule once he gets back though. We’ll see.” She did not seem to notice the frown that marked his lips, albeit for only a second. “Anyway, get my drink done, pronto! I’ll be going in call with him in a few.” And with that, she skipped to her favorite seat by the window.

With a heavy steps, he started making her favorite cinnamon Belgian hot chocolate, a drink he had perfected for the lady he looked forward to seeing every day at 2 AM.

–
Image source: Edward Hopper’s Automat – edwardhopper.net/automat.jsp
First written December 14, 2017.
In The Coffee Shop, #12
#75