Chapter 13
The coffee shop is closing early today. It’s New Year’s Eve. A few Humans linger over their mugs as if they have nowhere else to go. Anastasia, on the other hand, is making orders faster than ever. Clearly, she has someplace to be. She glances regularly at the oversized clock on the wall until she announces that it’s closing time.
This information doesn’t inspire movement. The remaining Humans keep clicking and swiping and seeking something on their devices until Anastasia stands at the front door, reminding everyone in a louder voice that it’s time to go.
The stray Humans walk out into the December evening and stand, restless but without plans. They look at each other, then one by one, walk away in different directions. The ability of Humans to remain lonely in a crowd will
