the invisible villain

Patron

Alex made cold cheese sandwiches, as always. With the addition of two sandwiches with vegetables and no cheese for Ludwig. Ludwig had a monstrous appetite and he disliked cheese, any dairy for that matter. And every meal ended with freshly prepared coffee or well aged wine. The four of them were sitting around a table that was supposed to sit three, even though it was actually large enough for five or six or seven even to sit around, and that might have looked out of place for anyone else. The four of them couldn’t be more comfortable. After all they were all well used to crowding. April waited until they had finished eating, and were sipping their coffees before announcing the developments over the past few days.

“We’ve got a new patron.”

Alex and Abe were surprised. Patron was a term April insisted be reserved for regular customers, ones who had a definite routine and who visited more than a few times every week.

“We were gone five days,” Alex said.

“Who is it?” Abe asked.

“I think you’ll find yourself familiar with her,” April said, not giving a straight answer.

“No,” Abe said, shaking his head with dread.

“No,” Alex said, a smile creeping onto her face.

“Yes,” April said, mirroring Alex’s smile.

“Hi,” Ludwig said, raising his hand, “I’m lost. What’s with this reaction over a patron?”

“It’s Welma,” the other three said together.

Only, their tones couldn’t be more different.

“Who’s Welma?” Ludwig asked.

April shrugged in reply. Alex smiled. Abe shook his head. Three very different reactions, and yet all three seemingly despising him. Ludwig realised he had no place in this conversation, and wisely silenced himself. He found his place as the audience enjoying the show over coffee.

“She showed up a day after you left,” April said. “All four of them. Lydia. Baron. Louie. Yep, that Louie. The Gerry boy. Turns out he’s a distant cousin of Baron’s. And he thought it might be you when Lydia described you. Only, he didn’t agree with her assessment. Why would he? Aren’t the two of you in love? And so, Louie brought them over. You weren’t there. Lydia couldn’t care. And she wouldn’t let Baron have a say. They had coffee. And wraps. Just like Louie loves them. And then left. Welma showed up the next day, asking about you. I told her you weren’t back yet. She had a coffee, and completed her homework while having her coffee. She came again, the next day, and the next day, and the next day. I’m sure she’ll come today too. Patron.”

Abe’s shoulders and head dropped in defeat. Alex patted his head as he sighed.

“Guess you were right,” she said slowly. “No escaping the plot. Maybe you should start thinking about another way.”

“No,” he said, as if Alex’s words helped him regain his resolve. “I can’t give up.”

It was Alex’s turn to sigh in defeat. She murmured something about children being hopeless, but no one really caught it all.

“I’m off then,” Abe said getting up on to his feet. “College. I might be late. Bye.”

And he was off, without waiting for anyone’s reply. He went to class, apologised to his professors for his tardiness, apologised to his classmates and friends who were furious at him for going on the holiday without them and were only willing to let him off after he promised he would take them all on the same holiday after the exams, and went to the library after classes staying true to his word about being late. The sun had set, and it was more night than evening, when he returned. He walked into Cafe with a victorious smile.

“Hello everybody,” he greeted cheerfully and loudly.

He saw Alex and April first, staring into one of their phones behind the counter, undoubtedly deciding on the menu for dinner. Then his eyes slid to the right where Ludwig was sitting, and laughing as he watched his favourite show on his tablet. On the other end of the counter was Emily with her laptop, typing but her fingers sounding like they were smashing the keys. The four of them looked at him, with curious looks first, then bursting into grins. And that was when he knew he screwed up. In the corner of his eye was someone else, a customer sitting at the table by his side. He turned his head slowly, and saw her face. And froze, even as she smiled at him.

“Welma,” he said slowly. “Hello. Didn’t see you there.”

“That’s okay,” Welma said. “You seemed excited to be back.”

“You really like Cafe, huh,” he said.

He sighed and shook his head as he decided to give up. There was also the faint bit of hope lingering at the back of his head, that maybe it wasn’t yet too late.

“Yes,” Welma said brightly. “I really do like Cafe. It’s so quiet. Has such a nice view. And everything is just so good. The food. The coffee. The people. And April told me this is yours?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. Also, I’ve got a request. See, my scholarship cover the tuition and the rent. Everything I have to work for. So, I was thinking, you know, think I could get a job here?”

“A job here?”

“Yes. It’s nice. And April said you were looking for part-timers. Can I get the job?”

He let his head fall onto the table with a loud thud. Welma was surprised. But before she could say or do anything, she heard the laughter. Ludwig and April had burst out laughing. Alex was smiling, as she walked over. Emily was far too consumed in her laptop. Alex pulled a chair next to Abe, sat while rubbing his back.

“Okay Welma,” Alex said with a smile that was neither wide nor small. “You’ve been here the last few days. Tell me what you’ve seen.”

“You mean do I think you need a part-timer?” Welma asked.

Alex smiled silently. Welma nodded and continued.

“I saw that evenings are busier than afternoons. And later in the evenings are busier than earlier. And that’s not the case everyday. Yesterday was the busiest. Today is the quietest so far. And most regulars seem to come in after evening walks or stop for dessert after dinner or some for quick dinner after a long day at work. And just two seems less than enough on the busier evenings. There’s certainly room for a part-timer. It also happens to be the perfect shift for me.”

Alex was impressed. And she made no effort at hiding that.

“You can start tomorrow,” Alex said, shocking everyone. “Where do you stay?”

“On 14th street. Ten minutes from here,” Welma said.

“Okay good,” Alex said. “You can come over straight from college. And leave with April. She can give you a ride. As for the pay, how about half of April’s? Half the day. Half the pay. Alright?”

April nodded in agreement. Welma nodded delightedly.

Abe lifted his head after the details were all discussed. But before he could speak, the door opened, and the regulars walked in, for a cup of tea after an evening walk.

The next day, Welma was waiting outside Abe’s classroom. Welma’s classes ended earlier. And since the destination was the same, they were both leaving together. In fact, that was how Alex insisted it be. And Abe seemed to be an obedient son, from what Welma had seen. And that left a good impression on her. She was luckier, in the sense that she had both parents. But she was less lucky in that her parents didn’t like her. The best evidence was the fact that she had to fend for herself, win a scholarship for college, get a job for necessities. Comforts and luxuries were things she put away for after graduation, after getting a good job. Until then, she dearly held onto little joys.

Abe wasn’t the first to leave the classroom after class. He was usually slow. Especially when there was nothing pushing him on, like now after classes had ended. Those that left first, seemed to have stopped outside. And those that were leaving, were slow like snails. When Abe looked out, he understood why immediately. Welma was in the doorway, bending from her hips, searching for him. And when their eyes met, she beamed. He returned her smile, sighing. That little exchange won cheers and applause from the rest of the class. Those that were closer to Abe even threw taunts at him.

“Girlfriend alert!”

Welma blushed. Pressed her little hands together. Teetered on her feet. And her lips trembled. All of which looked very much like a girl who was embarrassed at having her secret revealed. The cheers and the applause got louder. Abe didn’t even try telling them it wasn’t like that. Not as if anyone would listen. He walked out. Paused at Welma’s side.

“Let’s go?” He said.

She nodded. And the two left. The screams followed them all the way down the hallway. Some even followed them in person. All the way out. And then they parted ways at the grounds. Not everyone drove to college in a car, even if it was a car so old there were barely any electronics in it. Abe threw his bag in the back. Got in behind the wheel. Gave Welma a look that was all the invitation he was offering. She got in beside him, with her bag in her lap. He grabbed it and dropped it in the back.

“Seatbelt,” he said.

After she put on her seatbelt, he started the car. Smiled wide at the roar of the engine. Turned toward her.

“You like cars?” He asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t driven any. I guess I do. I like your car.”

“Of course you do,” he said, grinning. “It’s Akira’s. She gave it to me. You met Akira?”

“No.”

“Oh. I guess she isn’t back yet. She’s amazing. No one knows cars like her. She bought this from a junkyard. And brought it back to life all by herself. This car is older than her. And in all its life, it must never have driven like Akira drives it. She should be back soon. We’ll go on a drive when she does. Maybe you can join.”

“Yeah? I’d like that. Thanks.”

He drove straight home. Parked the car in the garage. Alongside Alex’s bright yellow car, the black car looked like a beast spitting out fumes of power and hunger.

“Not much parking space around Cafe,” he explained as they walked to Cafe. “I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

“I have,” she said.

“No rush,” he said, walking as slow as he could, enjoying the cool air.

Alex and April greeted them at Cafe.

Welma was up to speed in two days. She was as good as any of the others at her job. She was talking and laughing with Alex and April and Abe, and was even familiar with some of the others she had met before. The patrons were starting to recognise her too. The third day, Louie dropped by. He froze at the door, looking at Welma.

“You’re here?” Louie asked Welma.

“Yes,” Welma said with a nod. “I work here now. Part-time. Thank you for introducing me. It’s a great place.”

“I know it’s great,” he said, beaming.

“What will you have?” She asked after showing him to a free table.

“Usual?” Abe asked from behind her.

“Oh yeah,” Louie answered.

The boys high-fived. Welma followed after Abe as he told her Louie’s favourites. Milk tea with ginger and cinnamon that April prepared. If April was on leave, cold brewed coffee. Croissants with tea. Cinnamon rolls with coffee. April was already preparing tea. Welma went to heat the croissants in the oven. Abe went over to the two new customers who had just walked in.

After learning that Welma was working there, Louie became more regular at Cafe. He used to come on the weekends. Now he started coming everyday. It was clear to everyone that he had a crush on Welma. Welma herself was blind to it, of course. She treated Louie the same as everyone else. But she did treat Abe better. She smiled just a bit wider. And every smile lingered a moment longer. Her eyes glowed a little more. And she seemed a teeny bit more at ease when Abe was near. Abe himself was blind to it, of course. Everyone else grabbed their favourite snacks and drinks and enjoyed the drama playing in front of their eyes. Something was going to give. And they were all waiting for it.