Outside, some of the customers were still lingering. I walked up to them slowly, forcing a smile even though my heart was heavy.
“I’m so sorry for everything you witnessed today,” I said. “We’re closing for the day… for a while, but we’re offering refunds or discounts for those whose orders were spilled or yet to be made.”
Some nodded in understanding, others accepted the offer graciously. A few stayed back to offer murmured words of comfort before dispersing.
And as the last of them walked away and the café doors closed behind me, I locked them with trembling hands, unsure if I’d be able to open them again any time soon.
***************
I was slouched on the couch, a blanket half-draped over my legs, eyes fixed on nothing as the silence of the room settled around me. The dull ache in
