The Last Call at Sparrow’s Café

Lena walked into Sparrow’s Café at exactly 7:45 PM. The little bell above the door rang softly as she stepped inside. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. The warm smell of coffee and cinnamon filled the air. The café was just like she remembered — quiet music playing softly, the soft clinking of cups, and low voices of people chatting.

She looked around and saw her favorite table was free. It was in the corner by the window. The wooden chair was old and cracked, but she liked it that way. She sat down and set her cup of chamomile tea on the table. The tea was already a little cold, but she didn’t mind. She smiled to herself, happy to be in this familiar place.

Ben was not there yet. That was normal. He was often late.

She checked her phone for messages or missed calls. There were none.

Minutes passed slowly.

Lena kept watching the door, her heart beating a little faster every time someone entered — but it was not Ben.

The clock showed 8:05 PM. Still no sign of him.

Some teenagers laughed near the counter. The barista wiped the tables with a cloth that looked worn out from many uses.

Lena’s chest felt tight. Maybe he forgot? That thought made her stomach twist.

She tried to push the worry away.

At 8:12 PM, a man walked in — but it was not Ben. She looked down at her tea and slowly moved her finger in small circles on the wooden table.

Then, the door opened again.

Ben.

His coat was wrinkled, and his hair looked messy. He seemed tired.

He saw Lena and gave a small, tired smile.

“Hi,” he said softly as he sat down.

Lena forced a small smile back. “Hi.”

They sat quietly for a moment. The soft sound of the coffee machine filled the space.

“Sorry I’m late,” Ben said finally. “Work kept me longer than I thought.”

She nodded. “It’s okay.”

But the words felt empty, like a mask.

Ben took a slow sip of his black coffee and looked out the window. It was like he was seeing something far away.

“Lena... I’ve been thinking,” he said quietly.

She held her breath, waiting.

“Maybe... maybe this is the last time we meet here,” he said.

Lena’s heart sank, but she didn’t say anything.

“I’m moving next month,” he added. “New job, new city.”

She blinked hard to stop the tears. “I understand.”

They sat together in silence.

The café suddenly felt smaller, quieter.

Outside, the street was dark and wet from the rain that fell earlier.

Ben looked at her again.

“I don’t want this to end badly,” he said.

She smiled a little. “Neither do I.”

They talked about small things — favorite songs, old movies they both loved, and dreams they had once shared.

Slowly, the heavy feeling between them became lighter.

Ben stood up to leave. Lena reached out and took his hand gently.

“Thank you for all the Thursdays,” she said softly.

He smiled for the first time that evening.

“Me too.”

As he walked away, Lena sat back down and thought to herself:

Goodbyes are never easy. But sometimes, they help us start new things — even if it means being alone for a while.

A few moments earlier that night

Lena remembered the first time she came to Sparrow’s Café, nervous and shy. She didn’t know anyone in this city, and the café had felt like a safe place. That day, Ben was the only familiar face. They started talking, and soon, meeting every Thursday became their special time.

She thought about all the Thursdays they had shared. The warm smiles, the stories, the comfort of knowing someone cared.

Tonight felt like the end of that story.

She looked outside the window and saw the wet streets shining under the streetlights.

Maybe, she thought, this ending could be the start of something new.