Sincerely, Madi M

On a rainy fall day, you arrive at an interesting looking cafe, alone. The same one he took you to. The memories of a once vibrant cafe with pleasant aromas overwhelm your mind. He made you believe you were safe and loved, but that was a lie.

Now, you can’t help but be disgusted at the cafe’s ugly, vomit brown wallpaper. Not to mention, the chairs reflect a hideous dark gray tone. Of course, the baristas are as snooty as ever.

“Hi, I’d like to get a cinnamon, oat milk latte, please.”

“We’re out of oat milk,” the barista responds in a robotic voice.

“Coconut milk?”

“Out of that.”

“Soy”

“Out of that.”

“Almond?” you sigh. 

The barista releases an unnecessary groan of agony. 

“Coming right up,” she says in a snarky tone. 

She aggressively hands you your latte with a smirk.

“Thanks?” you respond with confusion.

You meander through the cafe searching for the perfect seat. All of the good ones are occupied, so you wander over to a coffee stained table with donut crumbs.

“Excuse me? This table is dirty.”

“Clean it yourself, then,” a rude barista shouts.

You grab your pineapple-scented wipes and remove the crumbs with hurt and anger. 

 You dive into your cheesy romance novel, bored with the same old plot: boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl break up, boy and girl get back together and get married.

“Not gonna happen,” you whisper to yourself with previous pain overwhelming you and tears welling up in your eyes. 

 As you look around, you find yourself fascinated with and curious about the customers inhabiting it. You pretend to read your book but find yourself beginning to “people-watch.” 

You hear soccer moms (karens) arguing over whose kid is the better player. Groups of friends laugh and chat about the latest school and work gossip. Lovers smile with their eyes fixed on each other and hands touching. You sadly sip your cinnamon, almond milk latte, wishing someone would come along for you. 

You begin to reminisce on and examine your past relationship. You remember every embrace, kiss, laugh, cry, and shout. The memories of fights circle your mind. You find yourself clenching your fists and holding back screams.Once a charming and sweet man transformed into someone manipulative and controlling. 

His cruel words ring in your ears, “No one could ever love you,” he said with a malicious smile.

He left you with little to no explanation and only guilt and confusion. He made you think you were the crazy one.

“I was never the crazy one,” you remind yourself as you punch the table. “Was I?”

Your hope in finding love shatters. You begin to give up.

‘Maybe love is just a fantasy. It doesn’t exist.’

The craving you have for another increases as you hear sweet words come out of the lovers’ mouths:

“You are my everything.”

“I want to be with you.”

“I love you.”

Distracted and wistful, you spill your coffee and groan in frustration.

“Just my luck,” you mutter.

Suddenly, a beautiful stranger strolls smoothly to your table.

“Tough day?” he asks.

“You have no idea,” you respond.

“As a matter of fact I do,” he retorts with a melancholy tone. “I got cheated on.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that. Well, this seat isn’t taken if you’d like it.”

He gleefully sits down with his ocean blue eyes fixated on yours. 

“Here, let me buy you another coffee,” the stranger offers.

“That’s ok. You don’t have to-”

“I insist. It’s my treat.”

He rises from the table with a twinkle in his eye and coolly struts to the line.

‘What just happened?’ you think to yourself. ‘Could this be the start of something new?’ 

He returns with your long-desired cinnamon, almond milk latte. As you sip on it, satisfaction fills your soul, and you can’t help but blush. You’re relaxed. You’re at peace. You’re once more unafraid to be yourself. The dreary black and white tones of the cafe seem to have found color. The sun shines with its warm glow greeting your beaming face. 

“So, what’s your name?” you inquire flirtatiously.