Her Miracle

CHAPTER 18

Ms. Perri caught me off-guard. Unbelievable—of all people in this down—excluding Titus, did want me to do something about it. Izzy and Kai usually just shrug it off. The whole thing makes me doubt more. Overthink more, triggering my trust issues.

I got off school with more paperwork. It’s nothing once I get to work anyway. I’m losing interest in school and its school works. And I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The coffee shop is really kind to me. For now, it felt like I belonged, for the first time in a long time.

The skies were gloomy as I approached Eleanor’s. I didn’t catch a ride with Izzy today since she had somewhere else to be with her family. The empty roads with the establishments in the middle part of this town minded their own business.

I placed both my hands inside the pocket of my hoodie. My head banged to a rhythm stuck in my head. The clammy asphalt roads still haven’t dried but compared to the one early in the morning, it’s better. The sneakers that have been with me since I was still 13 still fit me with the mud drenching itself unto its sides.

Speaking of mud, my stain camouflaged itself in my jeans. I thank the gods that nobody cared about it. I felt invisible now. The best thing I have before I finally leave this town.

The crossing with a traffic light lit up. It was now time to cross the road. Was the traffic light necessary? Eleanor’s neon lights lit up on its roof. Chester did change it to make Eleanor’s stand out. A huge ear-to-ear smile reached my face at the sight. Its neon lights reflected on the asphalt. Trucks make the holes in these asphalts. They come and go too much damaging the road.

The Carnival starts tomorrow but the parade is a few days from now. If Chester had his new signage up, the town employees have already hung those colorful banners for the founder’s weekend. Kai’s dad is one of the busiest at times like these. Since the Waters family are one of the founding families.

A customer made her way out the entrance. I run to catch up with the closing glass door, making it ring the bells more. The customers who were inside, reading newspapers, glared at me with the cacophony of entrance bells. I gave them an awkward smile, including Chester who was startled at the counter.

“Hey, Chester! I’m sorry about that,” I say shyly, bowing my head in shame.

“Just be careful next time. Some customers might get irritated too much. And most especially, it’s you.” He stated in his low voice much more apologetic than mine, still hinted with care. “It’s not that I hate you, Andy. Just be careful really. They might take it wrong like...always.”

I nodded in response and proceeded to go to the back where my apron was hung.

I gently placed my bag on the shelf and wore my apron. In seeing my reflection in the small mirror, I took out the bands that held up my ponytail. Baby hairs stood up, making my face look a lot messier.

The only thing I want to look forward to this week is the carnival which starts tomorrow. Izzy was coming with me. Should I ask Titus too? What if he was coming with his parents? I shook my head at the thoughts, finally finishing my business in the stockroom.

Chester was patiently seated at the cashier's high-chair. He was relaxed, propping his shoulder in the table which the register stood in. He gives me an acknowledging smile.

“The new Eleanor’s cafe neon sign looks good,” I say brightly.

“Took me weeks to finally edit it and get it done with all the problems. It’s a good thing that the finished outcome was better than I expected.” Chester sighed, relief getting out of him. He really does handle stress well. I’m jealous.

“How are the customers today?” I asked, grabbing the chair that was near the coffee station.

“They’re okay and not much today. They’ve been coming and going as usual. Busy preparing for Castle Rock’s anniversary.” He beamed. Chester was as excited as me.

“Didn’t you want to sponsor?” I answered, tapping my sneakers to the beat of the music playing.

“I opted not to this year. My family and I wanted to enjoy the town’s festivities this year down to the parade up to the carnival rides.”

“We all need a break. The town anniversary is the time for it even if it’s for a while…”

“Oh, by the way, I’ll be getting home early today for some family reasons… Like an hour or two from now. You’ll be the one closing. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, Chester. You can count on me.” I replied in a high pitched voice, inhaling deeply with the excitement but the inner side of me was scared if I didn't get things right.

There were fewer and fewer people but not the person I was looking forward to seeing. No signs of Titus. It’s unusual not seeing him around after a week of almost seeing him every single day. I sighed as I sat at the counter, checking my watch.

Hours have passed. Chester did his usual tasks before he left everything to me. He cleaned the coffee machines and washed the used utensils, mugs, and saucers. After seeing that everything is in check, he leaves at the back door to his car he parked near the dumpster.

“Andy! Everything is all set. I’m heading home now. Take care,” He waves at me before he heads out the door.

“You too! Drive safely.” I called out like I was his daughter asking for some favor.

Thirty minutes had passed after Chester left. Everyone got their coffee today. There was no one in. A few minutes more and I’m really closing up. I frown at the thought of not seeing Titus today. Maybe he also had somewhere else to be.

Feeling that everybody got their coffee run at Eleanor’s today, I finally walked to the open sign behind the glass door to flip it closed. All I need is to wipe and mop the floor and that’s it.

I stare at the empty road for the one last time. The traffic lights are doing their job in switching from green, red, and yellow. The cycle goes on and on--never-ending. Including Eleanor’s neon signage that illuminated its surroundings by its saturated luminous colors. They somehow supplemented the darkness of the night--to add more color into the dark space.

Finally, I mustered everything in me to flip the sign but continued to stare at the far distance. Eleanor’s did have its unique view. It’s the reason why people love to stare outside the windows from their seats.

A knock from the door startled me, making me look around. The figure was recognizable. Including his dark green jacket.

And I knew who it was.

In an instant.

Titus. 

Titus rolled his eyes at me. I waved at him giving him a smile at the same time opening the door for him to come in. 

“Hey, what’s up? Do you need anything? I’m actually closing Eleanor’s.” I held the door as I fixed my eyes on him who was getting inside.

“Oh, I’m just here to see you. I’m good with my coffee intake.” He winked.

There he goes again.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen you for a while.” My voice is down, feeling sad. But it was true. It’s sad not seeing the unfamiliar face that gave you so much to remember in a span of days.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to see you earlier to check up on you but things at home were busy with all the festival preps and stuff.”

“I see, I see…” I beckoned.

“Let me help you close anyway. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Alright. You wipe the tables, I mop the floor.” I started to twinkle in my eyes, with excitement in cleaning this up with him.

Maybe it’s a good wait after all. Crushing on the right guy.

“Got it!” He grabbed the rug that I placed on the countertop. But before going to the tables, he played a Paramore song that would play while we're cleaning. Ain’t it Fun played as if it lived in the air.

He started to shake his body to the music, making his way to the table. It was now time for me to grab the mop and do my part to get this over with.

I mopped first on the floor near the entrance, making sure that each tile was crystal clean. When the chorus came, we both sang our hearts out, I made the mop as if it was a microphone with a stand, putting my other hand up in the air. Titus had both his hands in the air like mine, enjoying this little moment.

We worked while singing up until the song finished. Titus was easy to work with. He hummed the song and I shook my head to the beat. And in no time, we were done.

“So that’s it.” I put both hands on my hips.

“Let’s put this in the cleaning closet now. I’ll walk you home.”

We both carried the mops and cleaning materials to the closet. And I roamed for the last time if everything was okay. The tiles, counters, tables, the bookshelves were arranged. It was time to go.

I grabbed the keys that sat at the countertop and went to my bag, taking off my apron. Titus eyed me, waiting at the back door exit.

I flickered the lights off. Only the neon sign did light up the place.

I lock the doors and we finally walk home.

“Thank you for helping me, Titus,” I spoke. We walked side by side like the other nights. With him, I felt safe.

“Psshh… It’s not a problem.” He gestured, placing his hand back in an instant inside his jacket for warmth.

These were the nights where it’s chilly. People are excited about the upcoming days. But was I? Maybe.

Walks are short when you have company around. I don’t mind. At least for his sanity too. I know Titus wants me home safe.

We approached my house with the lights inside only from the kitchen. Which is odd. Every light in the house is turned on in every room, on the first floor. With the kitchen light only turned on, our house seemed dull.

Titus cleared his throat and turned to me. “I still hope you stay.” He says with a voice sad, feeling like he’d miss me.

“Things shouldn’t be the same sometimes. Thank you for tonight, Titus.” I smiled at him gently. “Get home safe.”

“I will,” He then smiled. I hope he understands that it’s really not easy to stay.

The moment he turned back, I opened the front door and looked around. Aiden and Zach should be upstairs now. The hallway was dark. So I went to the living room to press the lights on.

The bodies that I didn’t expect to see.

Kai and Aiden were making out.