Semicolon savior IV

He looked up with a smile and walked towards the counter. “Coffee?” was all he said while pulling some change from his long shirt pocket. As I handed over the small coffee, our hands touched for a millisecond of a moment. An immediate connection of two souls floating on Earth. I was pulled to get to know this Guru and his gentle nature. He sat at a table enjoying the scenery for about 10-15 minutes, not speaking to anyone, but smiling genuinely outward. He visited the cafe a few more times and always waved when passing by our corner on his daily walks. Driving home one weekday afternoon, I even saw him walking 3 miles away. It seemed as if his outings were circular in fashion, covering most of the downtown and then always ending back at his home. I passed by his residence (the temple) through the alley when I was the opener. On those dark early mornings I never saw him nor a light on, but felt comforted that another soul was downtown so early.

Robert was occupying our downtown corner again today and had quite the group of people gathered around him. As I walked out of the shop I noticed why they were all collected. The larger canvas that was sitting on the cement park bench was that of a lady at a well. She had long brownish hair and was crying. Her clothing was tattered and a bearded man was reaching his hand out as if to help her up. One of our attorney neighbors was speaking to another older gentleman and I could overhear some financial figures were part of the discussion. “If we could purchase this larger one for the office and then those two over...” “This is the most beautiful work of art I have ever seen” another lady quietly said to herself. It was quite a frenzy and I could see Robert looked a bit uneasy. As I walked over to him, I put my hand on his shoulder, “Wow!” I said with a smile. “This is something else Robert, you’re going to sell these soon it looks like.” And just as soon as those words came out of my mouth, the older gentleman was motioning for Robert to come join in their discussion. I stood and admired the painting for a long while, relating so much to the woman at the well. The heartwarming compassion the bearded man had looking at her brough physical tears to my eyes. “What had she done? Who was this man to her?” I had never seen the image before, however others appeared to know the story well and were taken aback at its marvelous detail and heart tugging appeal. Pulling my gaze from the painting, I noticed a group of five men walking into our cafe. They were all dressed the same from hat to combat boot. We didn’t have a military base near our town, and the curiosity for their presence grabbed me. “I wonder what they are training for?” I got up and followed right behind the second to last man for one was not lost in chivalry, holding the door for a few other patrons and myself. “Thank you, I said with a smile” looking up to see Gage was already in conversation with the group leader. It wasn’t uncommon to have folks in uniform within our walls. More frequent however were that in police, fire and ambulance attire. All forms always seemed to have others expressing gratitude by shaking hands and treating to whatever food and drink was being ordered. I loved these times and it made you proud to be a human and an American. This visit was exactly the same, so I slid behind the counter and began steaming milk. “Do you do all that fancy art in the top of the cup?” one of the men said making hand gestures and smiling wide. “Oh I wouldn’t call it art, but we shall figure out the shape after I pour aye?” I replied. They all sat together over in the corner of the shop. Some on the red leather couch and others at the glass table nearby. They seemed to be on a break, simply enjoying the sights that our town offered. And with a tip of a hat, “we'll be back” was all they said.

Robert had slowed down a bit and was taking a bit of lunch on the cemented table we provided out front. I poured a glass of water and made my way outside. “Phew, that was a busy one” I said placing the water glass down in front of him. “Oh, thank you Victoria” he said simultaneously taking a sip and wiping his forehead with his shirt pocket hanky. I sat on the bench next to his and lifted my face up towards the sky. “The sun feels so good! Nothing like authentic vitamin D.” I sat just like that for a few moments, taking in the wonderful pause to the day, when I heard a paper start to rustle. “I worked on this for you” Robert said as he slid a folded up lined piece of notebook paper over to me. Tilting my head and lowering my sunglasses I unfolded the note. “It is the Aramaic alphabet, see it starts here with aleph and then goes to bet. I thought you may be interested in the language in case your visitor returns.”