Coffee with Hades

She sits at the table sipping her coffee,

Periodically checking the time.

Impatiently she taps her foot,

Her drink nearly finished now.

Just before the final sip he arrives,

Black suit and tie neatly pressed.

He spots her and waves.

She scowls.

"You look lovely as ever," he says,

Pulling out a chair.

"Spare me your flattery," she retorts.

"You're late, as usual."

The waitress walks over.

"What can I get you sir?"

"Coffee, no sugar or cream

Just a spoonful or two of cinnamon."

She glances at him.

"Cinnamon?" she asks.

"Yes, a whole spoonful or two."

She nods, then walks away.

"If it is usual for me to be late, my dear,

Why bother expecting anything more of me?"

"I honestly couldn't say.

You are a god after all."

He is clearly offended,

though he keeps it to himself.

He smiles pleasantly.

"So, what do you have for me?"

She reaches for her bag and

Pulls out several folders.

"These ones," she begins

"Will be seeing you within the week."

He takes the stack and begins flipping through.

"Within the week? You are awfully confident."

"I've bee doing this long enough

to know when the end is near."

A few folders in he pauses.

The file is of a young child.

She watches his face fall.

"You're sure this time?"

She nods.

"Nothing more to be done."

He closes the folder

And places it in his bag with the rest.

"Not going to look at them all?"

She eyes him suspiciously.

"Like you said," he replies, standing,

"You've been doing this a long time."

"Do I detect sentiment?

I thought you gods were 'above' us mortals."

Time seemed to stop

As the god turned to face her.

"My dear," he remarked,

His voice full of something dark.

"When you've been doing this as long as I have

sentiment is an unfortunate result."

The waitress returns.

"Your coffee sir," she says

"Thank you," he replies smiling

Then proceeds to empty the cup

"Until next time."

He says to his companion.

He tosses the empty cup

And leaves without another word.

She sits alone for a moment,

Finishes her last sip of coffee,

Leaves a tip for the waitress,

Then carries on with her day.