Her Miracle

CHAPTER 7

It was a rainy afternoon. I spent the entire afternoon avoiding people who gave me playful stares where they really did enjoy what happened to the cafeteria. Don’t they have periods? To top it off, it was the girls who were laughing at me since Willoughby had more girls than guys.

The glass windows fogged as the rain poured. Unlucky for me, I was wearing the skirt Izzy lent me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if her skirt didn’t fit me and if she never had the wardrobe thing inside her locker. I had no choice anyway.

The coldness lingered, sending a tingling sensation to my skin. It kept me wanting to pull down my skirt a little bit more. Everything irritated me. Maybe it was just the skirt, or maybe the period itself. I really don’t know.

My legs are too bare which is unusual. No matter what happened today at school, I wouldn’t want to bring it to work. The coffee shops help me stay afloat. It was my space. The aroma of the coffee that dwelled keeps me positive and gets my head elsewhere.

I was on dish duty today. There weren't many things to wash but at least made me stay out of the front. I didn’t want the customers to see me in this and raise an eyebrow at me.

I didn’t need more coldness in my life so I opted to use warm water for washing the dishes. Well, it helped soothe me from the coldness I was getting from wearing the skirt the entire afternoon.

Bubbles wrap my hands as I pressed the sponge to the plates, making more bubbles. Yellow dishwashing liquid meant that it had a lemon flavor which I disliked a lot. Compared to orange, it was better. I could tolerate it more than orange. It’s because this citrus smells make me want to vomit. I suppressed myself in not inhaling too much and wasting my breath since I didn’t want the citrus smell to corrupt my nose.

I hissed at myself, “Sh*t,”

Bile was rising in my throat. I hold on the plates tighter so I wouldn’t be dropping them anytime soon. It was getting slippery since I was coating them with soap. I closed my eyes. Not now. I don’t need more bad things to happen. I rushed lathering the dishes with all the colorful transparent bubbles. And began to rinse it.

I shifted my focus to the jazz music that started. Familiar. It was one of the songs played in the movie, La La Land. My mind trailed into another level forgetting the smell. I shook my head to the beat as I continued rinsing.

I swayed my upper body. I was never a dancer and I wouldn’t pass as one. It was mellow yet bright, complementing the weather. Chester did really feel the weather this time. If I was on dish duty, he was on his usual spot, the counter.

“Andy! A little hand in here…” Chester called out.

I immediately settled the plates in the side and wiped my hands with the rug. Maybe people were filling in and he needed a hand. In no time, I reached the counter, only to look around and find a few customers who sat in their respective tables and still didn’t have their orders. My brows furrowed.

“Yes, sir?” I managed to smile. Even if the skirt was already making me uncomfortable.

There was a woman at the counter, smiling at Chester. She had brown long curly hair that fell nicely on her shoulders. She wore a dark blue button-down shirt and jeans. I opened my mouth to say something but...I got the cue, I think. She was pretty and he should shoot his shot.

I noticed that he wasn’t able to serve the customers who patiently waited for their orders because he was too engrossed in having a conversation with her. I nodded at them. The coffee machine alarm made me stand up straight and turn my back.

It was ready to be poured at the glasses Chester prepared. I poured the black liquid on each of the mugs, making me smile at the great smell that dwelled inside this humble shop. I wrapped it up and placed it on a tray. Ready to be served to the guests.

Chester walked towards me, “Hey, I’ll be at the back. I’ve got to talk to her.”

I wiggled my eyebrows at him in response.

“She’s my sister, Andy.”

I didn’t expect that. My mouth hung open. Speechless. I didn’t find it that way at first. But the more you stare at them side by side, they have similarities. Her looks were like Chester’s but a feminine version. They could pass off as twins.

I chuckled as I bowed my head down in shame, “Oh...I’m sorry..”

“It’s okay. It happens most of the time. Go on, the customers might be waiting long.”

The sky had too much stock of water. It looked like the clouds were vomiting it. Speaking of vomit, thankfully I forgot the urge to vomit.

I delivered the 1st mug to Mrs. Killua who I gave an apologetic smile as I set it to the table. She’s an elderly woman who works at the town hall and is a huge fan of coffee. There’s no day she never orders here at Eleanor’s.

She looked up to me and said in a croaky voice,“Thank you, Andy…”

“No problem, Mrs. Killua. Do you need anything else?”

“Your Kendra’s daughter, right?”

This is what I meant. Everyone knew everyone in this town. It was annoying. I gave another smile but I sure as hell know it was ungenuine, “Uh… yes. Why?”

“This is good that you’re working. After your accident 2 years ago-”

I didn’t need a walk down memory lane. People should ask before consoling me about the accident. It was not an ordinary day. It was the day that changed my life forever. After 2 years, they still didn’t get over it. The memory should be kept buried than unleashed every time they see me. As a result of the accident, They always make me feel like I’m the living memory of it.

I cut her off, “Sorry, Mrs. Killua but the coffee’s getting cold and the rest of the customers. I’m sorry, we’ll talk next time! Enjoy your coffee.”

I left in a haste manner in hopes that no coffee would be spilled. I gave the glass to the other three customers with my usual apologetic smile. They were from town as well but didn’t bother to talk to me. Thanks to the heavens! I didn’t want to have a chit chat either. I went back to the counter to guard it.

The foggy entrance door opened to reveal the jet black-haired guy, Titus, who I met the other night. He set the umbrella down and placed it on the rack, meeting my eyes. After a while, he walked to his seat, the one where he sat the night I met him. What’s so special about this seat?

Luckily, he wasn’t drenched that much so he must’ve walked a short while only to get flickered by some drops. I eyed him as he sat. Didn’t he want anything? Well, Chester was taking too long.

I tapped my fingers on the counter as time passed. Muffled voices could be heard behind me. Chester and his sister hugged, in my peripheral vision. They must’ve had a serious conversation, seeing that it couldn’t even wait after work.

“Take Care, sis!” He called out as she walked out the door, opening her umbrella.

He was now beside me, taking over the cashier’s throne.

“Who’s older?”

“Me.”

“Ohhh, I’m jealous that you have that kind of relationship with your younger sister. My brothers treat me the opposite. Sometimes I feel I am their sister but there are days I feel like I don't exist at all.”

“Boys or men are just good at not talking and recognizing. Basically, explaining how they feel… ”

“Nah, my brothers are just assholes.”

“Why’d you say that?”

“You already know the answer.”

“What?”

“The accident…”

He nodded, dismissing the topic. What I liked about Chester was that he knew when or what time it was over the boundary or to what extent the boundary was. He knew I built a wall about it. And we made it that way. Maybe I just don’t like talking about it out in the open when people are watching you. I still had to get to know him better though. The sister he has is something to know about him.

“Take a 15-minute break,” He smiled, as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

I nodded as I walked away, knowing where I wanted to spend the 15-minute break. I pulled down the skirt again as it kept on inching back up. I sighed quietly.

He didn’t seem surprised as I sat across him. He was wearing the same dark green jacket. It seemed like it was his favorite.

I was about to speak when he started first. “You look cute with the skirt by the way…”

“With the rain and cold weather? No. I’m not a skirt type of girl.” I sighed.

“I figured how irritated or uncomfortable you are with it.”

“Are you really this observant?”

“Yeah, I tend to unintentionally. Sorry, if it makes you uneasy too.” His eyes twinkled at me, making the hair at my nape rise.

“You might be observant but you were right. Unlike other people… they observe and they assume they’re right. Yet, they were wrong the entire time.”

“Talking based on experience?”

“Don’t you want anything? Coffee? It’s raining. Compliments the weather…” I asked back, staying away from his question.

“It’s okay. I’m good.”

“Thank you for the dollar bill you left for me.”

“You deserve it.”

“The only thing I deserve is to leave town.”

“Why?”

“Everything here is just exhausting and suffocating.” I paused, “I saw you in school today. Did you enroll?”

“I went sightseeing and took a look at what Willoughby was like.”

“Won’t you go take classes? It’s not too late to enroll?”

He answered straightly as he turned his head to look out the window. “I’m homeschooled.”

“That explains it.” I nodded.

“Why’d you like looking out the window at this exact same spot, Titus?”

“You.” He faced me and released a smile.