I recline in one of the big comfy chairs in the corner at the local Internet café, reading a novel, immersed in conflict, challenge, adventure. She curls up in the other chair, across from mine, her feet tucked under her legs, and stares out the window. The sight pulls me from my book.
Quiet, pretty, young, she rarely smiles, even when serving customers their coffee and muffins. Each morning, I make it a point to grin long and broad, with “please” and “thanks.” But in return I rarely receive more than a rote, “Café Americano, two sixty-five.”
Then, at about 10 o’clock, she takes a break, to sit and stare. The sun peeks around the edge of a cloud overhead, now gleaming through her tender blue eyes and warming her luxurious, dark hair. Her face softens, and my heart melts, and I wonder what she thinks about.
At that moment, she raises her hand to her chin, and the sleeve of her black uniform slides down enough to reveal pieces of blue and red scribbled into her arm.
“What’s your tattoo?” I ask.
I myself have never mustered the will and courage to subject myself to the tattooist’s needle.
A frown etches its way across her face. “Nothing,” she mutters, her eyes still transfixed on the outside scene.
I shrug my eyebrows, as if to shrug off the hurt I feel. I return to the joyful fantasy of my book– Or rather, I am just about to return to it, when the girl silently unbuttons her sleeve, rolls it up, holds out her wrist, revealing a half a butterfly, its intricate wings painted in dazzling blue. The half-butterfly sits on the stem of a rose blossom, deep green and red.
“Wow,” I say. “That’s really beautiful.” Then, “Why only half a butterfly?”
“The other half– flew away,” she says, returns to her window view, her frown now more pronounced than ever.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Not your fault,” she mumbles.
I try pull my eyes from hers. And fail.
I imagine her smiling, laughing, bonding with friends, close to her loved ones. Her desolate sadness stabs through my gut.
I could argue with her. True, it’s not my fault that her best friend died, or moved away, or whatever happened. But I can still feel sorry. I’m allowed to feel sorry, not just with pity, but out of human kindness. In some societies, the community would rally around, sit, mourn with her. How can I sit here next to her and feel nothing? Or worse, feel only discomfort and dread, wanting only to escape from her presence, back into the safety of my novel.
But arguing with would accomplish nothing.
She sees me staring, I’m sure. If I were she, if our positions were reversed, I’d notice her staring. I’d wonder what kind of kook she was. I’d worry what kind of mess I’d gotten myself into.
“I hope,” I squeak– I swallow. “I hope that you can hang out with some friends after your shift, at least.”
She grunts.
“I wish there were something I could do,” I admit.
She glares at me. “Well, there isn’t. Haley was the only real friend I had. And now she’s gone. She was the only one who knew how to love everyone as they were. There will never be another person like her, ever. So don’t even try!”
She runs to the ladies room, and I can feel numerous pairs of eyes throwing glances in our direction.
I gulp down the rest of my now-tepid coffee, place the cup and saucer in the dish-return. Carrying my book, I stroll toward the exit, already having decided to return tomorrow morning to see how she’s getting along.
Gates of Olympus Super Scatter слот играть Gates of Olympus Super Scatter casino – найдите лучшее казино с высокими выплатами и щедрыми бонусами, чтобы увеличить свои шансы на выигрыш.
Бонусы Реферальный код Bitget GPFZDXVL — скидка 20% на комиссии с первой сделки Зачем переплачивать бирже, если можно сразу торговать дешевле? Код вводится при регистрации и работает бессрочно. Бонус — до 6200 USDT за выполнение заданий. Забыли ввести? Bitget даёт 14 дней на добавление кода после создания аккаунта.
здесь подбор и сравнение предложений по кредитам и займам в Казахстане. На сайте можно посмотреть условия, требования и примерный расчет платежа, затем перейти к оформлению заявки онлайн. Решение по заявке принимает выбранный кредитор.
Gates of Olympus Super Scatter casino Gates of Olympus Super Scatter слот демо – лучший способ оценить все преимущества игры, не рискуя своими деньгами. Попробуйте демо-версию и убедитесь сами, почему этот слот так популярен.
подбор займа казахстан подбор и сравнение предложений по кредитам и займам в Казахстане. На сайте можно посмотреть условия, требования и примерный расчет платежа, затем перейти к оформлению заявки онлайн. Решение по заявке принимает выбранный кредитор.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
калькулятор кредита онлайн подбор и сравнение предложений по кредитам и займам в Казахстане. На сайте можно посмотреть условия, требования и примерный расчет платежа, затем перейти к оформлению заявки онлайн. Решение по заявке принимает выбранный кредитор.
Hello there! I really enjoy reading your blog! If you keep making amazing posts like this I will come back every day to keep reading.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your web site
in internet explorer, could check this? IE still is the marketplace chief
and a huge part of people will omit your fantastic writing due to this problem.
раздел совместно нажитого +имущества Юрист – это архитектор правовой защиты, чья миссия заключается в создании надежного фундамента для безопасности и процветания своих клиентов. Обладая глубокими знаниями законодательства и многолетним опытом, он служит компасом в лабиринте юридических норм, помогая ориентироваться в сложных ситуациях и находить оптимальные решения.
you are actually a excellent webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a excellent job in this subject!
представительство в судах Алименты – это обеспечение достойного будущего для детей, чьи родители развелись. Юрист поможет установить справедливый размер алиментов, добиться их своевременной выплаты и защитить права ребенка на материальное обеспечение.
бизнес консультирование Алименты – это обеспечение достойного будущего для детей, чьи родители развелись. Юрист поможет установить справедливый размер алиментов, добиться их своевременной выплаты и защитить права ребенка на материальное обеспечение.
алименты Представительство в судах – это комплексная услуга, освобождающая клиента от необходимости самостоятельно разбираться в хитросплетениях судебного процесса. Юрист берет на себя все заботы, связанные с подготовкой документов, участием в заседаниях и представлением интересов клиента.
семейный юрист Представительство в судах – это комплексная услуга, освобождающая клиента от необходимости самостоятельно разбираться в хитросплетениях судебного процесса. Юрист берет на себя все заботы, связанные с подготовкой документов, участием в заседаниях и представлением интересов клиента.
hi!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate extra
about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this house
to solve my problem. May be that is you! Looking forward to peer you.
Very good article. I am experiencing some of these issues as well..
семейный юрист Семейный юрист – это деликатный и внимательный специалист, который поможет вам разобраться в сложных вопросах, связанных с браком, разводом, разделом имущества и воспитанием детей. Он окажет вам не только юридическую, но и моральную поддержку в этот непростой период.
Attractive component to content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment or even I success you access persistently fast.
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff previous to
and you’re simply extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have got here,
certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you are saying it.
You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it wise.
I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a
tremendous site.
Модульные дома https://modulndom.ru под ключ: быстрый монтаж, продуманные планировки и высокое качество сборки. Подходят для круглогодичного проживания, отличаются энергоэффективностью, надежностью и возможностью расширения.
Thanks for the good writeup. It in reality used to be a leisure account it.
Look advanced to far brought agreeable from you!
However, how can we keep in touch?
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before but after browsing
through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll be
bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!
Получить медсправку для замены водительского удостоверения https://med-spravki-msk.ru
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess
I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the
whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for novice blog
writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
It’s very easy to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this web
site.
hello!,I really like your writing so a lot! share we be
in contact extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to solve my problem.
Maybe that is you! Taking a look forward to look you.
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me.
Cheers!