Four weeks and three days he had sat attending the corner booth listening to the sweet sound of her voice. Each day, he’d always find his way down to her cafe to sit and sip his coffee. Hearing her voice for the first time he knew nothing would tear him away, that booth now claimed by him.
She, Ophelia, called out his name and he felt her presence grow near. Lavender and sweet honey wafted across the table as she set his usual order down. She was wearing her familiar perfume, which helped him pick her out in a crowd of people.
“Here ya go, Luther. A coffee with two creams and two sugars.” If he could see, he knew Ophelia would be beautiful. Of course, she would. A beautiful heart, a beautiful soul.
“Thank you.” He smiled, at the sound of her voice as she patted his back. Luther tried to resist the urge to melt under her soft touch.
Every day he’d come in, and every day during her break she’d sit across from him and tattle off her daily rambles. Little random things that she had done, people she had met, about her newest fascination, or how college was going. He would nod and smile, soaking up her presence as much as he could. Today would be no different, Luther relied on the routine. Enjoyed the consistency of her. It kept his sanity bolted in the ground, no risk of wandering off.
Luther had one earbud in his ear, listening to his newest musical fixation. Much more calming than his brief dabble in punk rock, which did not last very long. This was much more poetry in song form, beautifully sung and created. Luther's fingers moved rapidly under his fingers as he read his latest book, a tragedy, he’d later explain the plot to the insatiably curious Ophelia.
Her voice was the loudest in the cafe, striking up conversation with anyone and everything. She was like a bubble of joy which he could never get enough of. He was dragged into her orbit and he did not struggle much to leave but rather absorbed it in. That infectious love for life she held, he wanted the same. Ophelia always let him sit for as long as he wanted, whenever anyone wanted to claim his seat, she’d politely move them to another.
“This has been such a busy day, my feet are exhausted.” She groaned out as she plopped into the seat across from him. He could hear her shoes clatter to the ground as she kicked them up on the end of her booth seat.
“Did you make a lot of tips at least?” Ophelia let out a huff and shook the little jar of coins and a couple of bills.
“Enough for ice cream, would you like to join me? It’s the end of my shift.” Luther’s heart thrummed in his chest as he tried to keep a nonchalant look about himself. This would be the first meeting outside the cafe, and he knew he couldn’t fuck this up.
“Ice cream would be lovely.” He practically felt her grin across the table as he finished his coffee, and packed his things away.
Ophelia stood in front of him and held out her hand. “I know the best ice cream spots in town, you’ll never find anyone better!” Luther knew he wouldn’t ever, he also knew he was not a fan of ice cream but he’d eat as much as he could if it meant he could spend a little more time with her.
His hand slipped into hers as she led them out of the cafe. He knew his way home and could walk fine with himself and his cane, but he let her hold his hand.
Luther listened to her chitter-chatter and was content.
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