Semicolon savior III

“Thanks for all your help, the food was great,” I kept reading the note over and over. What exactly did I help with? I mean we didn’t charge him for the extra olives, could that be it? I gently scolded him as a mother would about exposing that much money in public, possibly. I just couldn’t grasp the compliment. His signature was also just initials and in a script I had never seen. While sitting on one of our outside tables, Robert pulled up into the loading zone and was beginning to get stuff out of his hatchback. “Good morning Victoria, beautiful one.” As I took a sip of coffee I put the note down and offered him a hand. We still had 20 minutes before officially opening and I cherished these quiet morning moments. The sun was rising over the courtyard a beautiful red orange and the birds had just began to chirp. “These canvases are huge!” I exclaimed with a giggle gently leaning over as I put it down. I noticed these paintings were going to be set in a desert of someplace. The rocks and individuals sandal shoes looked like they were photographed, not painted. “You are extremely talented Robert” It must have taken years of practice. As he popped up from his trunk, he smiled and gently said “All we have is now Victoria, the time is now.” I smiled and glanced at my phone checking the time. “Looks like I should get the rest of the coffee on, hope today is fantastic for you.” As I collected my cup and things from the table, I noticed the note had fallen. “Let me get that for you” Robert said as he bent down to grab the napkin off the bricked sidewalk. My hands were full, as they normally were, for I was the type of person to only make one trip. Grabbing the door was also out of the question. “You got coffee on, I may as well grab a cup while I’m in here” Robert said simultaneously opening the cafe door. “Sure do, and thank you, just set that over here on the counter.” As I put my stuff down in the back I could see Robert was glancing at the napkin. “Would you like a medium cup today?” I asked a little louder than normal. “Oh, sorry bout that Victoria, didn’t mean to be nosy” he said as he folded up the napkin in a hurried crumble. “No worries, it’s not personal, just a compliment from a customer yesterday” I replied while pumping from the air pot. “Well it’s not everyday you see hand written Aramaic, I was kind of taken aback.” I paused and thought to myself, he knows the language! “Can you read who signed it?” As I turned around to put the coffee lid securely on Robert just winked “Heck I’m fluent in it.”

“Good morning my love!” Gage had just gotten in with our daughter and the morning rush was holding off just long enough for us to exchange our embraces a little more private. “Sorry we are later, someone couldn’t fine her shoes,” looking down Rae was smiling holding her favorite matted teddy bear. “Oh that’s ok, glad you found them” I said picking her up and swinging her like a bride. “ It wasn’t me mommy, It was Felicia’s that were missing.” Gage kissed my lips and smiled “It was Felicia mom.” “Oh ok, we’ll happy everyone has shoes on their feet this morning.” Rae knew the drill and began to pull her coloring books and crayons out of the traveling backpack. “We will get you some breakfast and a smoothie when you are hungry, ok?” As she nodded her head the crayon had already hit the page.

The outside walls to our cafe were made entirely of glass and far to large for comfort on some stormy days. For the rest however, being on that corner was like being at the top of a mountain. We had the best vantage point to people watch. Families playing at the fountain in the courtyard that the administration building and courthouse shared was one of my favorites. It was just across the street, but amongst the trees and cemented sidewalk paths, you felt removed from the city. Today I noticed an older man walking who wore a long white gown. He also had on a hat both of which looked of middle eastern style. I had seen him pass by the windows of our shop a few times, and each time he hesitated looking in with very little eye contact to anyone. Not in a threatening manner, but one whom is very shy. I always tried to get his attention with a wave of acceptance and a few times had succeeded. A Sikhs temple had moved into the old post office building just next door to ours. It had seemed out of place amongst the parking garage and businesses, but we were trying to embrace the new culture with open arms. Not a lot of people were convinced it was for the best, but this was a fact, it was here and I was going to make friends. Today the older man surprised me and took a sharp turn at the crosswalk, heading straight for our door. I stood up a bit taller for a proper greeting as he reached his hand to the door.