Happiness with a Slice of Cake

In a world with sunshine and rainbows, Charlie can never catch a break. From cars splashing puddles of rain in his walks for work to Charlie just tripping over himself. Charlie never really experienced true happiness in his 32 years of life. Although, something changed on one rainy day.

In the afternoon, Charlie was walking home from his life as a clerk office worker when it started to rain. He forgot his umbrella, again, even though it’s been raining all week. Rushing out of the rain, he found the closest place down a street he never considered entering before escaping the rain.

Opening the door, the place resembled a small coffee shop café. The lights were dimmed down and hardly any people were at the tables. The atmosphere of the café felt cozy.

His short ruffled brunette hair was slightly damp, along with his thin white dress shirt but his pants were still dry. Charlie decided to sit down at the table closest to the window. Glancing out, he spots a double rainbow amongst the clouds.

“Wow.” Charlie was so distracted by the rainbows that he didn’t notice someone walking up to him.

“Hello there, so what are you having?” A waitress asked.

He jerked back, startled by her sudden appearance. She had kind brown eyes and ginger hair with blonde tips. The waitress was wearing a plaid red and blue shirt, black pants and green apron. He looked down to see he was leaning against a menu the whole time.

“Oh um, no, sorry I’m not ordering anything-” Charlie’s stomach startled to growl. “Okay, maybe something small.” He laughed awkwardly.

She smiled, “Well, let me know if you need anything. I’m Lizzie, by the way.”

“Charlie.” He introduced himself by mistake. Figuring out in his mind that it was most likely her job to introduce herself to her customers.

“Nice to meet you, Charlie.” Lizzie smiled warmly. “If you’re a sweet tooth, like me. We are having a special on desserts.” She leaned in. “You should try the chocolate cake.” Before letting him say anything else, she walked to the other customers.

In a way, he was glad she walked away because he didn’t know what to order yet. However, he felt gloomy since he wanted to hear her speak more. Charlie is not much of a talker but feels comfort in someone who seems like a talkative person. Thinking about the people in his life, he hasn’t had an opportunity to talk or have a conversation a while. From staying at his desk not interacting with coworkers to heading home where he lives alone.

Browsing through the menu of optional choices. He comes across the desserts. Gazing at the chocolate cake, Charlie attempts to think back when was the last time he had such a treat: The smell, the texture, the taste…. Have all become a blur to his mind.

“Just checking in, have you decided?” Lizzie had asked as she walked up to Charlie.

“I-uh” he still didn’t know what he wanted but didn’t want to waste her time coming back a third time. “I’ll have one slice of chocolate cake, please.”

She grinned. Her smile was as bright as the sun, you would have thought that the rain stopped.

“Glad to know I’m not the only sweet tooth around here.”

“It’s the middle of the day. I’m sure someone else must have asked before me.” Charlie spoke.

“Surprisingly nope, with rainy days comes a lot of people mostly just wanting coffee to keep them going.”

“Does coffee keep you going?” Charlie asked.

“Nah, sweets do, also, baking for this café.”

‘So she makes the desserts here.’ Charlie thought to himself. He started to look forward to his dessert.

“Will that be all?” She asked.

“Can I get a glass of milk as well?”

“You betcha. Be back in a few.” She took the menu, walked to the back and entered what he assumed was the kitchen.

Moments later, she came back out with the cake and milk. She sat them on the table along with utensils she got from her apron.

“Hope you enjoy it.” She headed back to making her rounds to the other customers.

Finally, looking down at his plate, the chocolate cake had chocolate frosting on it. The smell was heavenly. As he stuck the fork through the cake and put the piece near his mouth, he could feel the heat of the cake before even taking a bite. When he took a bite, he was amazed by the scrumptious flavor. The texture was soft and warm. It reminded him of a fluffy blanket fresh out of the dryer. The taste awoke the last time he had chocolate cake. He believed it was his 8th birthday party.

‘That long without this taste in my life.’ Thinking about that, an unexpected tear went down his face. He quickly wiped it away before she could see.

Before he knew it, the chocolate cake was gone without taking a sip of milk. Charlie didn’t know how but the taste of that chocolate cake gave him joy that he had not experienced in a long time.

“How’d you like it?” Lizzie walked up.

“I- to put it simply. I loved it.” Charlie commented with such complete sincerity.

“Wow, I’m glad you like it.”

“So how much do I owe you?” Charlie began reaching for his pocket.

“No no. It’s on the house.” She gestured her hand to put back his wallet in his pocket.

“Are you sure? because I can.” Charlie insisted.

“No no, I insist. I mean you’re the last customer after all. We close at 5pm” Lizzie mentioned.

Charlie looked around the café to see that he was indeed the last customer.

He checked his watch to see that it was 20 minutes after the time it was supposed to close.

“So you’re closed? You could’ve told me that. That way I can get out of your hair.” Charlie chuckled.

“Oh no, it’s fine. I enjoyed watching you eat the chocolate cake,” Lizzie grinned.

“It was really good. Are you going to make any more soon?” Charlie asked.

“No, this is my first time making it and it wasn’t really popular so I might give up that treat option.” She smiled sadly.

“What, no. You mentioned that baking keeps you going. So even though this bundle of people didn’t enjoy it that doesn’t mean the next bundle for tomorrow won't. I know at least one person that will be there tomorrow to represent.” Charlie gestured toward himself.

Lizzie laughed. “I’m looking forward to it.” They look up at the sky together to see that it has stopped raining.

“And before you go,” she power walked to the kitchen. Momentarily, she came out with a container and an umbrella. “Here you are. An extra chocolate cake for you also an umbrella just in case it happens to rain all of a sudden, again.”

“I’m sorry but this is too generous. What if you need this umbrella?”

“Well then I guess you’ll have to come see me again soon to give it back” her tone sounded…flirtatious? Charlie quickly shakes that out of his mind assuming she’s just being friendly like usual.

“T-thank you” before he took a step out the front door he stepped back in to say something to Lizzie. “I enjoyed talking with you. Your voice is pleasant to hear and I’d like to hear it more often.”

“You know where to find me. Also, I left my number on the container. That’s if you want to hear my voice before you visit again” She winked.

“Oh” Charlie blushed profusely, he was sure she could see how red he was even in this dim café of hers. “How about I call you tonight? I was planning on visiting tomorrow, remember. If that’s okay with you.”

Lizzie laughed “You liked the chocolate cake that much, huh?”

“Yes but I was also referring to the baker.”

Lizzie grinned so big, and Charlie could tell a hint of blush came from her too.

“I’d like that. Have a good day Charlie.”

“You too, Lizzie”

That was when he finally walked out the door and left the café. When the sun hit his eyes, it made him realize just how dim the café lighting was. Charlie began to walk home with a different pep in his step. Graciously, looking forward to his phone call with her tonight. He was looking forward to eating the cake when he got home. He was looking forward to tomorrow seeing her again and looking forward to what’s to come in life.

Thinking back on his day, if it was not for the rain that led them to the café he wouldn’t have met the sunshine named Lizzie. To which gave him happiness in a slice of chocolate cake.He felt happiness in more ways than one today and hoped for more joyful experiences in the near future.