Breathe

She closed her laptop and took a deep breath. Time for a break.

With a sip of her Ethiopian blend, she leaned back into her chair. The café was empty at this time of day. There were a few that walked in to grab a cup to go, and she was starting to recognize a few faces after a couple of visits. It was a peaceful time, the perfect time for her to daydream about having imaginary conversations with familiar strangers.

“… And Jimmy threw down his fish on the table!”

Raucous laughter came from the door as two people stepped into view. Her brow furrowed as she recognized the two, a particularly noisy pair that dropped by every so often. She sighed, knowing her little temple of solitude was accosted by the new entrants.

“Then he screams, ‘You would not believe the day I’m having!'”

She shook her head and her eyes fell on a man sitting at a corner. She always saw him in that spot, always at his laptop, always with a serious look on his face.

Today, however, he was frowning as he looked towards the loud couple. Ah, at least she wasn’t the only one feeling that way.

He caught her staring and smiled her way. As she blushed, he gestured towards the two and shrugged. She nodded and threw her hands up in the air. He chuckled.

“Yeah, then Martha, she looks at Jimmy and says…”

He rolled his eyes and took up his earphones. She reached for hers and showed him her pair, too. Smiling at each other, they slipped their headsets on at the same time. A vaporwave track played in her ears, smoothly washing away her earlier annoyance.

He then took up his cup and raised it her way. She did likewise, and they shared a short virtual toast as two people who never spoke to each other before.

After they both took a sip of their drinks, he nodded and waved at her before looking back at his screen.

Smiling, she opened up her laptop and took a deep breath. Back to work.

–
Image source: deviantart.com/rolycul/art/Cute-Laugh-704534086
First written November 7, 2017.
In The Coffee Shop, #8
#37