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.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
sportwetten die besten
Check out my web page wetten Und gewinnen (Comedyhigh.Dreamsites.io)
вызов нарколога на дом краснодар вызов нарколога на дом краснодар .
кухни на заказ спб недорого с ценами kuhni-spb-51.ru .
кухни на заказ петербург kuhni-spb-52.ru .
Sport Wetten Tipps Heute auf tore
заказать кухню с доставкой zakazat-kuhnyu-10.ru .
villas in phuket thailand for sale villas-for-sale-in-phuket.com .
luxury property for sale phuket real-estate-for-sale-in-phuket.com .
нарколог на дом краснодар narkolog-na-dom-v-krasnodare.ru .
платный нарколог на дом narkolog-na-dom-v-krasnodare-1.ru .
apartments for sale in phuket thailand apartments for sale in phuket thailand .
большая кухня на заказ kuhni-spb-49.ru .
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
wettstrategien einzelwetten
Visit my page – college basketball wetten (Kazuko)
seriöse beste online sportwetten seite tipps
an canadian casino, no deposit how to play crash online gambling (Alisia) slots usa and raging bull casino
canada, or no deposit bonus australian online casino
Кто пробовал такие методы — есть реальные результаты? Пока читаю теорию, например здесь всё довольно подробно: https://spark.ru/user/268812/blog/315064/nakrutka-pf-v-yandeks-polnoe-rukovodstvo
вызвать нарколога на дом вызвать нарколога на дом .
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
заказать кухню цены zakazat-kuhnyu-10.ru .
villas for sale in phuket island villas-for-sale-in-phuket.com .
phuket real estate for sale real-estate-for-sale-in-phuket.com .
condos for sale phuket condos for sale phuket .
condo for sale in phuket apartments-for-sale-in-phuket.com .
заказать кухню в спб от производителя заказать кухню в спб от производителя .
нарколог на дом анонимно narkolog-na-dom-v-krasnodare-1.ru .
нарколог на дом в краснодаре narkolog-na-dom-v-krasnodare.ru .
кухни в спб от производителя кухни в спб от производителя .
плинко установить https://plinko50862.help
Magnificent website. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your sweat!
трафиковое продвижение сайта prodvizhenie-sajtov-po-trafiku.ru .
1вин crash 1вин crash
Fortune Ox respins infinitos: já chegou a 25 respins seguidos? Mítico!
sweet bonanza faq https://sweet-bonanza72501.help/
Fortune Rabbit wilds gigantes: já teve tela cheia de coelhos dourados?
где в москве купить недорогие цветы где в москве купить недорогие цветы .
apartments for sale in phuket apartments for sale in phuket .