Coffee

Flash Fiction

Coffee

“What happened here?” Robert asked coming upon a crowd. He could see a police car with flashers on around the corner, and another crowd there too.

“We don’t know,” said a woman’s voice, “can you see what’s happening? I’m too short!” she sounded frustrated.

Robert looked over, the woman was short, and stuck apparently, in the middle of the group. Trying not to chuckle he put his hands together and wheedled between a few people. Then took her hand and walked her out of the crowd.

“I hope you don’t mind; you didn’t look very comfortable there…”

“No, and thank you! I thought I was stuck for a while! Do you know what’s happening there?”

“It looks like it’s just a flat tire issue. The car is just in the way now and they’re probably waiting for a tow truck. Can I help you get around the crowd? Where were you trying to go?”

“That coffee shop! But not now, with all this commotion in front of it!”

“There’s another one a block down. I could show you where it is.”

“Weren’t you already going someplace else?”

“Actually, this coffee shop! We might have been sitting next to each other right now if not for the flat tire! But this way I get someone to talk to, and you too, if you don’t mind…”

“I don’t mind. I usually get my coffee to go, so I won’t be sitting there alone. I take it to the park over there,” she pointed.

“I do the same thing!” he said, “I usually sit near the east entry.”

“Well, that’s why we’ve never met, I usually sit by the west entry! My name is Roberta, yours?”

“Robert!”

It was a very good day, and lead to many good years beyond, for them both.