CHAPTER 2
608 Words
Chapter 2: Wash the Dishes
The café fell silent.
The stranger looked down at the black card resting between his fingers before slipping it back into his wallet.
“I don’t have any cash,” he admitted.
Lena raised an eyebrow.
“I figured.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The elderly farmer let out a hearty laugh.
“Young man, that fancy little card may work in the city, but around here, cash is king.”
The entire café burst into laughter.
A faint trace of embarrassment crossed the stranger’s face. It disappeared almost as quickly as it came.
“I can transfer the money tomorrow,” he said calmly.
Lena shook her head.
“We don’t have online banking either.”
His brows knitted together.
“…You don’t?”
She couldn’t help but smile.
“Welcome to Maple Creek Village.”
The old farmer stood up, patted the stranger’s shoulder, and headed for the door.
“Good luck, son.”
One by one, the remaining customers left, leaving only the sound of rain tapping against the windows.
Lena began stacking cups behind the counter.
“So…”
She glanced at him.
“You owe me five dollars.”
“I know.”
“And?”
He looked around the small café before asking, “Do you have any work?”
She paused.
“What?”
“I’ll work until I’ve paid for the coffee.”
She studied him carefully.
His clothes were simple but clearly well-made.
His hands looked like they’d never held a broom, let alone washed dishes.
He didn’t seem like a man used to doing odd jobs.
“Have you ever washed dishes before?” she asked.
“…No.”
“Cooked?”
“No.”
“Baked?”
“No.”
She folded her arms.
“Can you do anything?”
After a long silence, he answered honestly.
“I learn quickly.”
Lena laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh she’d had all day.
“Fine.”
She walked into the kitchen and returned with a blue apron that had Sunflower Café stitched across the front.
“Put this on.”
He stared at it.
“You want me to wear… an apron?”
“Unless you’d rather sleep hungry.”
Another long pause.
With obvious reluctance, he tied the apron around his waist.
It was slightly too small for his broad shoulders.
Lena bit her lip to stop herself from laughing again.
“Come with me.”
She led him into the kitchen.
A mountain of dirty plates and coffee mugs waited in the sink.
His expression finally cracked.
“…All of these?”
“Every single one.”
She handed him a sponge.
“Five dollars won’t earn themselves.”
For the next ten minutes, the kitchen echoed with the sounds of clattering dishes.
Crash!
Lena spun around.
One plate had shattered on the floor.
The stranger froze.
“I’ll… pay for that too.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Congratulations.”
“You now owe me twelve dollars.”
For the first time that night…
He smiled.
A small, reluctant smile.
And somehow…
It suited him far better than the serious face he’d been hiding behind.
Lena caught herself staring for a second before quickly looking away.
She had no idea that the awkward man standing in her tiny kitchen was carrying secrets far heavier than the stack of dishes in front of him.
Outside, hidden beneath the pouring rain, a black SUV slowed as it passed the café.
It didn’t stop.
But someone inside looked toward the glowing lights of Sunflower Café before quietly driving on.
- Writer
