The Cafe.(Stephen Pearmine) A new short story.

When Michael was eight years old, he found the strangest-looking rock while walking along the beach one day. It was four inches by three inches and like a typical rock, grey in colour with what looked like the word WISH carved into it. Being the age he was, he picked it up and took it home, not thinking much more about it, but it would join his other collection of rocks that sat on his window sill in his bedroom.  
...............
Thirty years later.
Michael had recently lost his job, and being stuck at home all of the time was driving him nuts. His parents had died not so long ago, and even though a few years before that he'd met a nice girl and they'd moved in together, the relationship after a few months had gone sour, so he moved back in with his parents. Then one after the other, his mum and dad succumbed to old age, and he cared for them the best he could until the end. He missed them dearly.
Since losing his job, his life has gone to a new low. In the evenings he'd now drink so he'd forget the failings in his life. At the age of 37, Michael felt like he hadn't accomplished much at all. Most of his childhood friends were married with children.

On a Wednesday night, it was late once he'd finished his 2nd glass of whisky. He fell into a deep sleep and still sat in the living room. The dream he had that night was of the rock he'd found when he was a kid. The strangest rock he'd ever seen with a carving in it. Even to this day, it still sat in a drawer in his bedroom cabinet, and out of all the rocks he'd come across in all his years, it's the only one he'd kept.
....................    
On a Thursday, Michael decided to get out of the house and have a walk around the town. Recently, a cafe had opened, and he thought he'd go in to pass the time. Once in there, Michael proceeded to the counter to order a coffee. Once he'd been served, he made his way over to a table by the window and observed people walking past on the street. Many were older couples. In some ways, he was envious of them. The love they had for each other. He'd never been that lucky, or maybe he hadn't tried hard enough to search her out, whoever she may be.
Near where he sat, a waitress came into view from the back room carrying two plates of hot food to two customers who were seated close by. She placed them down with a smile, and both seemed pleased.
Five seconds later, a woman no older than twenty walked in and sat at a table at the far end of the big room with a folder in her hand. From the back door appeared a different waitress who looked about twenty-five, and there was something about her he couldn't put his finger on. She was attractive, but it was more than that. Since his girlfriend years ago, Michael had not really been interested in anyone else. Michael did his best not to stare, but something inside of him couldn't help it; feeling a little embarrassed, he decided to leave.
.................  
That evening all he could think about was her, but why? He hadn't felt like this for a long time, if ever. Michael watched the usual TV; by 10, he poured a shot of whisky in a glass with a little added water, then sipped it slowly.
After another drink, he was done for the night. It was just before midnight. He didn't have much to get up for in the morning apart from searching online for jobs. At the same time as yesterday, he'd go for another stroll and visit that cafe again to see if that mysterious woman was working. Maybe he'd try to make a conversation with her.

An hour later Michael had trouble sleeping; when he finally did get to sleep, he had the same dream as the night before of the unusual rock from the beach.
................  
At eleven, Michael left the house and walked around the town for 45 minutes, seeing some familiar faces along the way. Then he headed for the cafe nervously. She might not be working today? He proceeded through the entrance, and being late November, the Christmas lights had already been put up inside. For two years now, he hadn't bothered with decorations at home. He couldn't see the point really; with losing his job recently, there seemed less reason to do it. He had nothing to celebrate.
Like yesterday, he went to the counter and got a coffee, then ordered some food from the menu that sat on the bar. Purposefully, Michael hadn't eaten any breakfast that morning so he could stay in there longer. He made his way to the same table, waiting for the food to arrive.
After finishing his food, he still hadn't seen her. The other waitress who was cleaning the nearby tables because there weren't many people in at this time, when Michael got the chance, said to her, "I was in here yesterday for the first time. I'm really impressed with the place. There was another waitress yesterday; is she working today? I thought I recognised her from somewhere?"
The girl laughed, then answered politely, "She probably has one of those faces. She's recently just moved here. She isn't working today; she'll be in tomorrow, I should imagine. You could ask her then." Through the door, five people of all ages walked in. The waitress noticed this and said, "It was nice talking to you; I must go; if not, I'll get into trouble with the boss lady."
"Thank you," was all he replied before leaving the cafe to head home.
................  
The next day Michael was in the cafe again while he sat in a different area that was closer to where this waitress served, waiting patiently for her to appear. That day there were a few in, and the atmosphere was good. The door to the kitchen swung open, and it was her while she carried three plates on a red tray to a table close to his. Suddenly his mind went blank, blaming it on nerves. It'd been a long time since he'd spoken to a woman properly, especially one he liked.
Within seconds, she'd disappeared back into the back room. Maybe he should order some food and stay a bit longer and try and make the effort to start a conversation? On the table was a menu. He went for the cheapest option, then waited for her to come out. His heart was beating quicker than normal, and his mouth felt dry. At that moment, Michael decided to go as he felt stupid feeling this way. He got up and walked out of the building.
................  
Two days later, he went back, sitting at the same table as last time. Like before, she appeared serving many people. He'd now been there just under 90 minutes. Yet again, he didn't say anything to her. Also, he needed the toilet twice, as he'd drank three cups of coffee while there. He felt like an idiot. Half the problem was that when it was busy, the staff would rush around, not having time to talk to anyone. Let alone him, the strange man who sat on his own most days looking irritable.
................  
The cafe thing was going nowhere fast, so the next time Michael went in, he proceeded back to the table he first sat at, away from the area where she served. Every so often he'd look up at her, and that day when he was about to leave, their eyes met, and she smiled at him. From somewhere deep down inside, a slight glimmer of light was felt for the first time in ages.
................  
For the next few times he stayed at the same place, occasionally watching her without her knowing, as he didn't want her to feel
uncomfortable.
................
By mid-December, 15th to be exact, while Michael drank his coffee near the window where he observed other people walking up and down the street. The clouds overhead promised snow as it'd been forecast. He gave a look in the direction of where the lady he admired from afar would be, but so far there was no sign of her, which was unusual. Then an older woman appeared from the back room, clearly looking distressed. She signalled the other waitress to come over, and they chatted for a few seconds, then the girl began to cry.
At that moment, Michael realised something very bad had happened. He got up from his chair, and when the waitress he'd spoken to a couple of times was back serving, he asked her if she was okay.
The girl looked around at him, tears still visible in her eyes. "Cassandra, the other waitress, was in a car accident last night with her friends. She came off the worst and is seriously ill in the hospital. The doctors don't know if she's going to make it or not. It's so horrible."
Michael was in complete shock; why didn't he have the courage to talk to her when he'd had the chance? This was the only reason he was always here. He left the cafe sadly.
..................  
The next morning, he went straight there to find out how she was doing. The friendly waitress seemed different, miles away in her own thoughts, which was understandable as she was worried for a friend and colleague.
Michael approached her. What she said next was the worst possible news he could ever have imagined.
..................  
On the way back home, Michael bought a bottle of whisky. All he thought about was the injustice of it all. She was such a beautiful soul, and though he'd hardly said anything to her, nothing would change how he felt.
At home, he drank from the bottle while sitting on the sofa. The more he consumed, the more enraged he became. Michael thought back to that stupid rock with WISH carved in it in his bedroom. The one he'd kept for so long. The one that he'd always suspected could grant wishes, even though he didn't believe that really. At this point he was so drunk and emotional anything was worth a try.
He stumbled into his bedroom and opened every drawer until it came into view. With difficulty, Michael picked it up and pressed it hard to his forehead, closing his eyes and wishing her to be saved. Everything else after that was a blur.
................
Michael woke up the next day expecting to have the hangover from hell. He sat up in bed and peered at the time on his alarm clock, and it was 7.30am. He then noticed something, which alarmed him greatly. The date above the time said it was the 14th December. To his knowledge, it would've been the 17th. Michael quickly got out of bed and threw his clothes on. Even though everything from last night was a blur, if last night had even occurred, he searched for the rock everywhere. It had mysteriously vanished. If it really was the 14th today and he hadn't lost his marbles completely, then he had a chance to save her.
....................  
The cafe opened dead on 9 a.m. The older woman who owned the place unlocked the door and let him in. He was the only customer at present. As usual, he walked to the counter and ordered a coffee; he then went to one of the tables that was closer to where she worked. There was no sign of her yet. Was she even working today because each week was different? Suddenly from the front entrance, she appeared. It was now or never, before it got too busy. He stood up and said her name.
She turned to him, seeming a little shocked. "Hello, do I know you?" she asked, clearly in a hurry because she was running late.
For some weeks now, Michael hadn't had the courage to talk to her. If he didn't do it now, then it'd be forever too late. His heart was racing, and his mouth became dry. Terrified, he said, "I've been coming in here for a while now. The first day I saw you, I've been wanting to ask you out, but I've been too nervous. Have you got any plans later this evening? If you have, then that's fine. Doesn't hurt to ask."
She looked surprised by what he'd said. A smile came across her attractive face. She blushed. After a short moment, the lady replied, "Yeah, why not? All I had planned tonight was to go out with some friends. I could ring them and say I can't make it."
Michael couldn't believe it; she'd said yes. "Great," was all he answered, still not believing his luck.
She then gave him a sceptical look before saying seriously, "Is it okay if I ask you one question though?"
"Yeah, sure," he answered.
She giggled. "You aren't a serial killer, are you?"
"Definitely not," he said.
"That's okay, then," the girl replied.
Both then laughed.

The End.

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