The Woman in the Cafe

The bell jingles against the door as yet another person walks into the cramped cafe.

Unlike some of the others coming in on their lunch break, she comes in with a genuine smile, brightening up the space and I'm sure the barista's day. Poor girl has had a line of sour people today.

Maybe it was because of her smile or something else entirely, but I put my phone in my back pocket, wanting to observe her without any distractions. (Not in a stalker kind of way, mind you.)

She respectfully asks where the end of the line and doesn't seem disappointed to realize she has a wait in front of her. Instead, she strikes up a conversation with the nuclear family in front of her, complimenting them on their corny matching outfits and suggesting some delicious lunch ideas. Apparently, she is a regular and although she has tried other things in the past, she orders pretty much the same thing every time she comes in.

"I don't mind it and besides, why fix what isn't broken?"

The line moves along steadily and she ends up by the door, just in time for her to open it for an older couple, who are grateful that they do not have to "fight the door."

Soon, the family from before orders their meals, which gets a little bit chaotic thanks to the easily distracted kids. While I notice a couple people being annoyed at the children's antics, she chuckles to herself, choosing to be entertained rather than annoyed.

I truly think if it was anyone else, they would have dropped their mask by now. Yes, even with the many small sweet things, I felt it was all an act. I've seen it before and honestly, it rocked my faith in humanity.

A man shoves past me and a couple others, nearly knocking a drink out of one person's hand. He marches up to the front, cutting in front, acting like she wasn't ready to pay for her meal. Surely, this will cause her to snap.

Instead, she taps the man gently. "Sir, there's a line."

The man turns around and it looks like a fog has been lifted. Frankly, the guy looks like he's been through it today. "Gosh, I'm sorry, I've had the worst day and it's not over yet." He goes to move to the back of the line, until she stops him.

At first, I think she's going to allow him to go ahead of her and perhaps she would have if it wasn't for the crowd. "I hope your day gets better." He gives a sad smile and thanks her.

This woman baffles me. Is it possible that someone could truly be so...good?

My name is called, telling me my food is ready. I go and grab it haphazardly, in my thoughts and still trying to figure this woman out.

When she pays, she engages the cashier in some small talk, checking in on the girl's family. As she leaves, she says goodbye to all the staff who joyfully responds.

As she walks out the door, I follow her. (Goodness, I sound like a creep, don't I?)

"Hey, [name redacted], wasn't it?"

There is a bit of nervousness on her face, although she keeps her smile. To her, I'm just this crazy, creepy middle aged man. I wouldn't have put it past her to try and lie about her name, even though it was announced to a room full of people.

"That's correct."

"I couldn't help but notice how...kind you were, even to that man who probably didn't deserve it. Why?"

She gives a small shrug of her shoulder. "Sometimes the small things are the biggest things of all. You never know what someone is going through, and if I can make things a little bit better by being nice, I want to do that for them."

I shake my head, impressed and confused. "Life would be so much better if there was more people like you."

"That's very kind of you to say, but I'm just doing what anyone else would do."

She's not wrong, but unfortunately she's a rarity.

"Don't ever change."

I see her in the cafe from time to time, and I am glad to say she hasn't changed at all.