A Warm Cup of Kindness

A cold wind tugged playfully at the bottom of Cameron's coat as he walked down the road. Winter had decided to arrive earlier than expected, bringing with it a thin blanket of snow. He kept his hands firmly in the pockets of his long coat head bowed against the chill, mouth buried in his scarf. The leaves on the tree stood dressed in autumn colors. Pumpkins sat in store windows looking out over the streets. Once he would have been thinking about what costume to wear, now he merely thought about what to say once he got to work. He finally walked underneath the familiar sign of a warm cup with a couple music notes on the side and a music staff instead of steam. Ducking inside he was greeted by a tinkling bell and the warm earthy aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sweet delicate smell of pastries. Behind the counter a young man wearing an apron, gloved hands covered in flour looked up and smiled.

“Morning Cam,” Mason said grinning, “usual today?”

“As long as it’s hot,” Cameron said grinning back. Mason chuckled and nodded his head over to a corner of the café. Looking over the only person he noticed was somebody sitting in a corner booth bent over a book. He turned back to Mason who shrugged.

“Just a suggestion Bro,” he said softly and turned to start on the coffee. Cameron went and sat down in one of the comfy chairs they had sitting around. His eyes glanced over again at the person sitting there reading their book. Curious he got up and made his way closer. The person sat up taking a drink, and he paused for a moment. A woman, she looked to be about his age, though with her soft round features she could have easily passed for younger. Her short pixie cut suited her well looking quite feminine and framed her face almost perfectly. Almost like those models in magazines. Her eyes opened and she glanced in his direction, warm brown eyes regarding him. Thankfully Mason arrived with his coffee and Cameron turned away from her.

“Thanks Mason, you’re the best,” he said taking a sip.

“So what do you think?’ Mason said grinning like an idiot.

“Good, as always,” Cameron answered. Mason turned away as the bell signaled another guest. Cameron sat down in a different comfy chair drinking his coffee slowly. Almost like a magnet his eyes slowly went back to the woman. She had thankfully returned to her book her eyes locked onto the page a pencil tucked behind her ear. One hand rested on the book another fiddled with a silver cross around her neck. A heavier coat hung on the back of her chair, while she wore a knitted sweater that hugged every curve quite well. On the floor sat a pair of high top sneakers kicked to the side. She wore a pair of cozy white socks that seemed to slouch around the ankle, over a pair of black leggings. He took another sip of his coffee checking the time. The meeting would start as soon as he got to work, so he could not dawdle long.

Movement caught his eye and he glanced up and once again his eyes landed on her again. Hopefully she did not hear his heart beating in his chest, it seemed to block out every other sound. He needed to leave soon in order to arrive to the office on time. Taking a deep breath he stood up and turned to walk towards the door but glanced back towards the woman. She glanced up again and a smile appeared, one that lit up her face. Cameron started to smile back until somebody else walked past him towards the woman.

“Sammi it’s so good to see you,” the new woman said quickly wrapping the other up in a hug. This new woman looked a little younger, with a quick smile and a bubbly air about her.

“You too Kitty, and it’s just Sam now, I haven’t been Sammi in years,” Sam answered, her voice almost as warm as her gaze. Cameron turned away, feeling his cheeks burn as he made his way towards the door. Mason stood watching him shaking his head.

“Maybe I should have made your coffee hotter,” he whispered, “cure those cold feet of yours.”

“Sorry Mason I really need to get to work,” Cameron said. He tried to ignore the two women walking right behind him as they chatted happily to each other.

"I'm so glad you were able to fly out and visit," the one woman, Kitty said.

"Me too. I luckily had some vacation saved up. Though I can't stay away too long or Leo will miss me," Sam said. They stopped right behind Cameron, he tried to avoid turning around yet they stayed there talking. Mason leaned against the counter that goofy grin still on his face. Couldn't they just leave, why did they have to stick around? Cameron turned around and crashed right into someone. There was a tug under his foot and a splash on his coat. A moment later he looked down to see Samp sitting on the floor, coffee spilled over her sweater as well.

"I am so sorry." he said quickly, his face already burning.

"It's alright," she said her tone a little forced. She glanced up at him and paused mouth open a little. He glanced down and saw the laces untied on her high-tops. Kitty stepped forward and helped her up off the ground. Sam looked at Cameron again. He cleared his throat.

"I can pay for your sweater to be cleaned," he said.

"Uh..." she said then glanced down, "Oh yeah my sweater...um it's okay, I'll um...I can get it cleaned myself it's no trouble."

"Please I want to make it up to you."

"It's really okay," she said her cheeks turning red, "Though uh thank you for the offer." She turned and her and Kitty walked out of the Coffee shop.

He sighed and glanced back at the table and noticed the book still sat there. Curious he went over and lifted up the book. The pages had been handwritten in tight neat cursive, with various edits, changes and notes in the margins. He glanced back towards the exit, but the women had already disappeared. He glanced at the inside cover and saw a note written in the same neat hand.

“Property of Samantha Hartford”

* * * * * *

Cameron entered the office doors with time to spare. He gave quick nod of greeting to the receptionist before heading towards the elevators.

"Eager to get started today, Cameron?" A voice behind him said. He turned to see Abigail Preston walking towards him smiling.

"Just wanted to make sure I was on-time," he said.

"No need to rush yourself, the meeting won't start for another half hour," she said smiling a little, "and I'm sure your father will be quite proud of what you and your team have put together." He nodded trying to ignore the twisting in his stomach. Johnson & Grant Publishing had steadfastly stood by traditional publishing. Yet sales numbers had been declining the past couple years. Other publishers had moved on to digital publishing to help compete with the growing digital market. Thanks in no part to being one of the world's top publishers they had kept their numbers up, but a shot in the arm was desperately needed.

They both entered the elevator and started up. Soon the elevator door opened and they made their way into the main office space. Kelly sat in her usual spot at the reception desk idly tapping her pencil on the counter. Abigail walked up to her smiling.

"Good morning, Kelly," she said. Kelly looked up and nearly jumped out of her chair."

"Ms.--Ms. Preston, g--good morning, Ma'am," she said her cheeks already flushing.

"There's no need for nervousness my dear," she said, "though I do expect the receptionist to be alert for those coming and going. By the way the answer for 33 down is Obtuse."

"Y--yes Ma'am. Thank you, Ma'am," Kelly said smiling before falling back down to her chair. Abigail walked away past the various cubicles to her office. Cameron made his way over to his own. Abigail must have moved the meeting time. Thank goodness she did, he had time now to review his notes before the meeting and the presentation. He sat down at his desk before a light knock came from his door. Looking up he saw Lisa standing there leaning casually against the door frame. Despite the cold she had decided not to wear leggings or tights and her honey-blonde hair fell stylishly down her back.

"Everything all set of the meeting?" she said.

"Just have to finish organizing my notes," Cameron said. Lisa came over and glanced down. Goodness she smelled wonderful today, a faint but distinct citrus scent teased his nose. Reminders of late nights and aimless hours floated through his mind. She looked over at him her gaze knowing.

"Lisa..."

"I know. I'm sure it will all go over well," she said, "best of luck Cameron." She then turned and left his office, the citrus scent lingering in the air a little longer. A moment later Jacob entered the office. Cameron stood greeting him with a handshake.

"Lisa stopped by didn't she," Jacob said, "I could smell her from my cubicle...wish she would stop with that perfume."

"You and me both," Cameron said.

"Whatever happened between you two?"

"Not important right now," Cameron said, "I've got the notes ready for the meeting. Presentation all done?"

"Ready to launch Boss. This could really work you know. I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"Well, my dad will have the final say on that," Cameron said. Jacob gave him a discerning look, arms crossed.

"You two still aren't talking, are you?"

"Umm...occasionally."

"You know you're the only one who seems to have an issue saying anything to him," Jacob said raising an eyebrow. He spoke the truth; every time they saw each other they simply ignored the other. They had never been particularly close, even after Cameron started working for the company, though they did trade a few conversations. Of course, that had all changed since dad had lost mom. Cameron glanced at the time and grabbed his notes.

"I'll see you and the rest of the team in the meeting room," he said.

"Just say something to your dad Cameron," Jacob answered, "odds are he's hurting just as much as you."

"I'll...I'll try," Cameron said as they made his way down to the meeting room.

* * * * * *

Cameron sat as his desk going over some of the latest manuscript submissions. Outside his window the sun had already set. He leaned back in chair letting out a sigh.

The presentation had been a success. His dad had agreed to have them begin publishing some books digitally using some of the new manuscripts they have received, and even asking some existing authors to agree to digital distributions. It was a start, not moving completely over to digital books and still keeping the physical publishing active. Jacob would be spear-heading the project as the manager, with others of the editing team taking on new roles under him.

Cameron of course would check up on them, and even run potential manuscripts across Jacob's desk. Unfortunately, he had barely said a word to his dad as promised.

Two years...had it really been two years since Mom's death? Sometimes the pain still felt too recent, and other times far off. She had always known how to bridge the occasional gaps between him and his dad. Without her the two of them had just kept drifting away.

"I wish you were still here Mom," He whispered. The last of the new manuscripts done Cameron grabbed his bag from under his desk and noticed the little book. The one the woman had left behind at the Coffee Shop. Curious he opened the book and looked over the tidy handwriting. Within moments though he found himself engrossed. No thoughts of manuscripts, his dad, or anybody. Time seemed to just melt away, and when he looked at the clock, he realized a couple of hours had passed already. Placing the book back in his bag he started out of the office. One last light still shone from a cubicle, Lisa's.

Sighing he walked down towards the exit passing by Lisa's cubicle. He glanced in to find Lisa with her head on her desk asleep, one of the manuscripts she had been editing still up on her computer. Next to the monitor he noticed a picture in frame, one of the both of them from some months before they broke up. Why couldn't she just get rid of that picture...

He walked over and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. With a jolt she sat up and turned around to look at him.

"Cameron...oh no did I fall asleep again?" she stammered, "I am so sorry...are we um...are we the last ones here?"

"Yes," Cameron said the citrus scent hitting him again like a wave. Lisa stood up a few inches shorter than him looking up at him smiling.

"Want to maybe spend some time together?"

"No Lisa," Cameron answered, "I'm sorry..."

"Cameron, everybody knows you and I were an item before I started working here, would it really be so bad if we gave it another shot?"

"Lisa, you know why we aren't together anymore," he said "and you know it has nothing to do with you working here..."

"I know...but...maybe we could make it work this time?" she said, "Come on Cameron, what's wrong with a little fun?"

"Nothing...except everything is just a little fun with you," Cameron said. Lisa stepped back a little like she'd been slapped. Turning he left the cubicle, a mixture of frustration and melancholy churning inside him. That lovely citrus scent followed him all the way downstairs and out the lobby.