Chapter 4: The Coffee Shop
968 Words
The wooden box sat on my bed all night.
I stared at it for almost an hour before finally opening it.
Inside were old postcards, birthday cards, and a small photo album. Every picture carried a memory I wasn't ready to face.
There was one of Grandma's smiling beside her flower garden.
Another of me and Grace were covered in flour after trying to bake cookies.
Then I found one that made my breath catch.
Ethan and I were standing in front of the old oak tree behind the house. His arm was around my shoulders, and I was laughing so hard my eyes were closed.
I traced the edge of the photo with my thumb.
"You were happy," I whispered to myself.
I quickly slid the picture back into the album and closed the box.
There was no point looking at old memories.
I wasn't here to relive them.
I was here to finish what Grandma had left behind.
The next morning, Maggie knocked on my bedroom door.
"Are you awake?"
"Barely."
She laughed.
"Good. Get dressed."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you're coming to the café with me."
"I'm really not in the mood."
"Exactly why you should come."
"I have things to do."
"You've been staring at walls since yesterday."
I sighed.
"You don't give up, do you?"
"Never."
Thirty minutes later, we were walking through the center of Ashbrook.
The town was already busy.
People greeted Maggie everywhere we went.
A little girl ran up and hugged her before racing back to her mother.
Everyone seemed to know everyone.
I had forgotten what that felt like.
The bell above the café door rang as we stepped inside.
The smell of fresh coffee and warm bread filled the room.
It was exactly the way I remembered.
Mrs. Carter looked up from behind the counter.
"Ivy?"
She hurried around the counter and wrapped me in a hug before I could react.
"Oh, look at you."
"It's good to see you too."
"You've become such a beautiful woman."
I smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Within minutes, three more people had stopped by our table to say hello.
Some asked about my work in the city.
Others offered condolences to Grandma.
Everyone had something kind to say.
It should have made me feel welcome.
Instead, it reminded me how much time had passed.
Maggie noticed the look on my face.
"They've missed you."
"I don't think they even know me anymore."
"They remember the girl who grew up here."
"I'm not that girl."
"No," Maggie said softly.
"But she's still part of you."
Before I could answer, someone called my name.
"Ivy!"
I turned.
A woman with blonde hair hurried toward me.
For a second, I couldn't place her.
Then she smiled.
"Oh my goodness."
"Grace?"
She laughed.
"Finally."
I stood up, and she hugged me so tightly I almost lost my balance.
"I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too."
She pulled back and looked at me.
"You still wrinkle your nose when you're trying not to cry."
I laughed.
"And you still notice everything."
"Someone has to."
We sat together while Maggie ordered more coffee.
Grace filled the silence with stories about the town.
Who had gotten married?
Who had moved away?
Who now has children?
I listened more than I spoke.
It felt nice.
Normal.
For the first time since arriving home, I wasn't thinking about renovations or paperwork.
Then Grace asked the one question I knew would come.
"So..."
I looked at her.
"Have you seen Ethan yet?"
I wrapped both hands around my coffee cup.
"Yesterday."
"And?"
"It was awkward."
She smiled knowingly.
"I expected that."
"I didn't."
"What happened?"
"We talked."
"Only talked?"
"Mostly."
She leaned closer.
"How did he look?"
I gave her a look.
"Seriously?"
"What?"
"You've seen him."
"I want your opinion."
I sighed.
"He looks... older."
"That's all?"
"And taller somehow."
Grace laughed.
"I didn't know that was possible."
"I mean it."
"So he's still handsome."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
I rolled my eyes.
"You haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
"Trust me, I have."
Her smile softened.
"I know."
There was a quiet moment before she spoke again.
"You know..."
"What?"
"Ethan never married."
I looked up sharply.
"What?"
"He dated a little."
I tried to keep my face blank.
"And?"
"It never lasted."
"That's none of my business."
"Maybe."
Grace stirred her coffee.
"But everyone in town knows why."
I swallowed.
"I don't want to hear gossip."
"It's not gossip."
"Then what is it?"
She looked me straight in the eyes.
"He never got over you."
I laughed quietly.
"Grace."
"I'm serious."
"He ended our engagement."
"I know."
"He walked away."
"I know."
"So don't tell me he spent ten years heartbroken."
"I'm telling you what I saw."
I looked out the café window.
Across the street, a familiar truck pulled into a parking space.
Brooks Construction.
Before I could stop myself, I watched Ethan climb out.
He was talking to Noah.
The brothers laughed about something before Noah walked away.
As if he could feel my eyes on him, Ethan looked toward the café.
Our gazes met through the window.
Everything around me seemed to disappear.
The voices.
The music.
The smell of coffee.
There was only him.
He gave the smallest nod.
Not a smile.
Just a quiet greeting.
I looked away at first.
My heart was beating far too fast.
Grace noticed.
"You still love him."
I shook my head.
"No."
"Then why won't you look out the window again?"
I didn't answer.
Because I wasn't sure I wanted to know the truth myself.
Outside, Ethan stood still for another moment before turning and walking away.
I told myself I hadn't watched him leave.
But deep down, I knew I had.
- Writer
