Her Miracle

CHAPTER 5

I ran my fingers through my hair as I tied it into a ponytail and tied the apron on my back. The moment I came in, he surprised me with a brown apron in theme with Eleanor’s that had white and brown. I also had a name tag that said ‘Andy’.

I could barely smell the coffee beans that lingered in the air because my colds acted up as I cried earlier. Chester was very hands-on with his customers and knew almost each one of them. He had regulars who come by before and after work for their coffee run. And the others are those who buy coffee when they feel like it.

Eleanor’s served lunch every Saturday. And that was the expected busiest day of each week. I’m looking forward to serving customers this Saturday. At least the usual heavy routine of Chester would be lightened.

“You ready, Andy?” He interrupted me into my pool of thoughts.

“Always,”

“So…First, Let me introduce to you the kinds of coffee beans we have. We have Arabica, our best-seller, Robusta, the least favorite of the folks because of its stronger and harsher taste which gives of a grain-like overtone and its aftertaste is somewhat peanutty.” He pointed to each of the containers with the coffee beans and their specified labels.

“Liberica, the rarest which we always sometimes have no stock of.” He trailed.

“Why?”

“It’s from Southeast Asia. The importation is a complicated process. If I can’t secure one from the Philippines, I also outsource from Indonesia and Malaysia. So, yeah, that’s mainly it. At least people in town would experience another coffee variety for a while.”

“Does this answer why nobody wants this job? It’s actually interesting.”

He chuckled at my comment. “Some people think it’s a boring job. Working with coffee, alongside the bread and pastries. Word spreads fast in this town and when they hear about it, it influences them and changes their perception with things.”

I wasn’t the only one. Chester also felt the same way. Though, why didn’t he just leave? I kept it all inside as I wiped my hands on my brown apron. Maybe it's a story he doesn’t want to tell...anymore.

“I get you, Chester.”

“So, we play music from this button. It plays the speaker. I hope you like jazz.” He explains gently.

“Jazz is not a problem. It’s the genre that never gets old.” I laughed with him as we walked around the shop.

The coffee shop’s rustic features really did make the interiors unique or maybe it’s just because I haven’t been to a coffee shop other than this...The wall had a brick texture that made it stand out more. The chairs complimented the hazelnut-colored wooden tables. There was a side of the coffee shop that had a shelf filled with books if the customers wanted to read books. And besides, it was a rack for daily newspapers.

“Having books is a great idea.” I turned to him.

“I planned to make it more exciting by posting there that they can take a book as long as they leave a book in return for people to read...making it more interesting.”

“Now I understand why your business is doing well. You’re in the right place. With all the 24/7 rain. Castle Rock residents are lucky to have their coffee runs from you.”

“In my memory of my grandmother. It’s a good service for people. Mostly adults who have their coffee staple.”

“Are you a coffee connoisseur?”

“I even haven’t asked myself that yet. I wouldn’t want to assume that I am, I guess. I’ll find out.”

Chester was easy to talk to. He serves and talks about this coffee shop with passion. His eyes beam whenever he talks about everything. I hope that I'll be able to be passionate about something I want in the future too. This coffee shop was his life. He had something to live for.

“What you’re going to do is whenever those tissue holders on the table are empty, immediately work on it. Together with the sugar packets and creamers on the tables. It’s more efficient whenever it's peak hours. So they wouldn’t keep coming back and forth asking at the counter. And clean the tables once the customers go.”

I nodded at him. Everything around here was understandable to work with.

“The bread and pastry available have their own schedule of availability in the week. I get them from the Tutti’s bakeshop, they deliver it before opening hours which is good and arrange them on the display case. And if ever we need stuff from the grocery, you’ll be the one running for the errands. By weekends you’re required to come by eight o’clock. During weekdays, right after school up until closing.”

“No problem, Sir.” I saluted at him like we were in the army. And I have to get myself a bike so it would be easier to take all those errands in consideration that I have no car and I think I also need one for fun at least.

He rolled his eyes at me, “Next if there are no customers, you can leave early. Do you want your salary to be weekly? At least to be added to your food for lunch every week?”

“Oh, it’s okay. Depends on which is better.”

“Hmmm… you’re a teenager. You’ll need your money every week.”

He’s much more perspective than my mom and my brothers. He’s supposed to be much older than them.

“Okay, then.” My voice croaked.

“These days as this progresses, you’ll be learning how to use the coffee machines and how to make coffee.”

“That’d be great!” I answered in a high-pitched tone. This experience is always evolving, making me look forward to a lot of things. I didn’t realize that it was now six o’clock in the evening. The time flew by so fast. It always flies once you enjoy it. And when you don’t, it walks slower than you want it to. The difference between staying in a space with people who don’t want you and a place where you enjoy yourself. It always makes a difference.

One customer has left his spot and out the door. I grabbed the rag to clean his table. I wiped it all up in a smooth direction as my palm pressed unto the soft rag, getting into all those dirt on the table. It wasn’t that messy. There was just spilled coffee on the table which made my hand sticky as I held onto the rag. I arranged the tissue holders together with the creamer and sugar holders.

The shop began to empty as the sky wrapped us around with its dullness. I turned off the air conditioner since it didn’t rain today. I wait for them to leave and not kick them out cause the world needs less hate. There were a man and woman who drank coffee together on the other table who wrapped everything up and left. I grabbed their saucers and kept everything clean, placing all of it in the sink.

“I already counted what we had for the day. It’s the usual.” He closed the cash registers, “I’ll take care of the washing. You better close the doors now and flip the sign.”

He made his way to the back to wash the mugs and utensils in the kitchen.

I turned around to notice a new face in town. He had jet black hair and an angelic face. He was probably the same age as me. He sat at the corner looking out the window, like he had all the time in the world, with his hands clasped tight at the table.

I didn’t want Chester to get mad. I mustered all the courage to talk to the stranger, balling my fists in my sides, and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. His soft features made him look sad but baby-faced. I made my way to him.

I was standing right across him, as I looked down at him, “Uh...Hi, I’m Andy. One of the staff in this coffee shop. I wouldn’t want to make you leave but it’s time for us to close.” I cleared my throat, “If you’re waiting for someone, I’m sorry they made you wait, sir. You seem new in town.”

He finally met my eyes. His eyes were the green ones you’d want to stare at forever. He looked pale but it’s what made him attractive. He had a slim body, as his black shirt stayed loose on him paired with his green parka jacket, jeans, and chucks.

He smiled at me. The smile that reached both his ears beamed like the fluorescents, changing his sad demeanor to calm. He reached out his hand to me, “I’m Titus...and yes, I’m new in town.”

“Are you okay?” My voice came out much more caring than I wanted it to. I didn’t want to meddle with his problems.

“I’m fine. How about you...Andy?” His voice was low but the way he said my name was like no other. It felt special. A revelation. He was the person who saw right through me.

“Oh, I’m okay.”

“No. You’re not. Those bags under your eyes meant you’ve been staying up all night. Maybe crying. School just started and that doesn’t mean you’ve done assignments. I hope things are going to get better for you.” He pointed out as if he’s already analyzed what was plastered on my face.

“Where-”

“I should be going. Sorry, for taking up your time.” He stood up and in no second he was out the door. I looked out the window as he walked farther away from the shop. I wasn’t even able to ask if I’ll be seeing him in school. He should be if he’s new in town. He'll be the new mysterious guy.

I didn’t know him but he had me at those words he uttered to me. It spiked right through my veins that we'll be great friends. And even if I hated most people in this town, at least he made things more bearable. Even if I've always had judgments and comments on everything, this is the first time a stranger, well, Titus, caught me off guard.

I turned back to realize that he hadn't ordered anything but a folded 5 dollar bill left on the table. Titus. My heart swelled more. I bit my lip, as I slowly laughed at myself that I felt dumbfounded for a second. This 5 dollar bill is going to be my lucky charm if ever I won't see him again. If I do see him again, I'll use this to buy him ice cream. A thank you gift. This 5 dollar is the start of my dreams and my key to everything. My miracle. The miracle I've been waiting for.