The Coffee Shop

by Lauren Hunter

  “To hear you say it, you’d think I was a complete bumpkin, wandering through the city totally unaware of how I didn’t fit in.”

  Derrick laughed. “No. No, that’s not how I meant it at all. You weren’t going to let others dictate to you how you lived your life. You were completely comfortable with being yourself. And that’s something I really admired.”

  “Hmm, who’d have thought, wearing jeans and a sweater would count for so much.” She leaned close. “Did it ever occur to you, that was my way of saying I don’t give a damn?”

  Derrick pulled back. “Why, Annie Maddock. Did I just hear you curse?”

  Annie laughed. “And there’s a lot more where that came from.” He was looking at her with an expression of uncertainty, and she smiled up at him patting his face. She grinned. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “That, is something you could never do.” Taking a step back, he looked down at her simple white dress, its silk flowing over and around her as the wind gently caressed it. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

  She smiled up at him. “Yes. But, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Women never grow tired of hearing it.”

  He grinned at her remark. “And I’ll never grow tired of saying it.”

  “Good answer. See, you’re learning. You can teach an old dog new tricks.”

  “Is that an inference to me being an old dog, by any chance?”

  “Now whatever gave you an idea like that?”

  She said it with such conviction that if he didn’t know her better he would have believed it. “Good answer.”

  “There, see how well we have come to know each other. Why, before long we’ll be finishing each other’s sentences.”

  “God forbid.”

  Annie laughed, and she closed her eyes, her grasp on his arm tightening.

  “Annie?”

  “I’m fine. I’m fine.” She looked up at him and nodded her head. “I’m ready.” Turning, she looked to Angela and took the white lilies from her. She held them before her as she stood looking up into Derrick’s eyes.

  The breeze was warm and constant, the sand smooth beneath their bare feet as they stood facing each other, and Derrick nodded at the minister. “We’re ready.”

  But Derrick wasn’t listening, his every thought of Annie, as she stood looking up at him adoringly. Her eyes, watching his, as the words were spoken. And when at last he took her hand in his, slipping the simple gold wedding band onto her finger, he leaned down and kissed her, wishing that moment would never end, that they could stay there, as they were now, for all of time. Frozen in that moment, in which nothing would change.

  “Congratulations.”

  The sound of Brian’s voice drew him back, and he turned to see Brian’s hand held out before him. Pumping it, he grinned down at him.

  Holding his hand, Brian grabbed Derrick by the shoulder, and leaning in, he whispered in his ear. “I’ve never seen you happier. And I have to say that hurts. That time I gave you that really cool ring from my super hero collection…” Annie was watching him, and he grinned. Brian signaled to Angela and the minister that they should make themselves scarce.

  Annie was staring up into Derrick’s eyes. “Did everyone just leave?”

  “I think they did.”

  “Now why do you think they would do something like that?”

  “Maybe because they didn’t want to watch us do this?” He took her into his arms, his mouth seeking hers, and he kissed her. He held her to him, never wanting to let go. Never wanting to stop. Holding her even tighter to him. Taking her face in his hands, he smiled down into her eyes. “Oh, Annie, I love you so much.” He kissed her forehead and held her.

  “Look.” Annie was watching the sky, the sun now below the horizon. “Perfect timing.” Pressing her face to his chest, she watched the sea as it rose and fell upon the beach at her feet. “You always did have perfect timing.”

  “Who, me?”

  She grinned at his remark. “You may not know it, but you did.”

  “Well, Mrs. Sloane, what do you want to do now?”

  “Why take over the world. Why else do you think I married you? It’s all part of my evil plan, didn’t you know?”

  “Shoot, and here I went and booked that room at that — ” But he didn’t finish his thought as Annie was kissing him.

  “All right you two, break it up. You have hungry guests that want to eat.”

  “Tell me again why you wanted me to ask Brian to be my best man?”

  “Um…I’m beginning to wonder that myself.”

  “All right you two. Hungry people, hungry people.”

  Derrick shook his head. “It would appear we have hungry people.”

  They all went inside the beach house, the table set for just two. A candelabra, china, and sterling silver settings were laid out before them as they entered.

  Derrick pointed to the table. “What’s this?”

  Brian grinned. “You didn’t think we were all going to stick around and be in the way did you?”

  “Now I know why you asked me to have Brian be my best man.”

  Brian patted Derrick upon the shoulder. “As that’s the closest I am going to get to a thank you, I’ll take it.”

  “Thank you, Brian,” Annie said over her shoulder, as Brian stepped from the porch into the night.

  Lifting the lid from the platter, there were two hamburgers and two cans of cola, and Annie laughed, clapping her hands in delight.

  Derrick stared down at the burgers. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” And taking up the note addressed to them, he opened it, reading the words aloud.

  “Yes, this is a joke, unlike the time you made poor Annie actually eat these foul things in the park. If you will look in the kitchen, you will see the real meal we ordered for you.”

  Annie was already sitting down, and taking up one of the hamburgers, she put it onto her plate.

  “What are you doing? This was a joke?”

  “I think it’s perfect. Our first meal together was hamburgers. How more perfect can this day be?”

  Derrick smiled at the way she was beaming up at him. “Oh, God, you’re not gunna cry now are you?”

  “Of course I’m gunna cry.” And she laughed, bringing her linen napkin to her eye.

  He was glancing toward the kitchen, and Annie grinned. “Go see what he left you. I know you’re dying of curiosity.”

  Walking into the kitchen, Derrick lifted the lid from the platter. Under it was a note, and he took it out and read it to Annie. “As Annie is already eating the hamburger, there is no need for another meal. Happy honeymoon, you two. Love, Brian and Angela.”

  Annie laughed. “If you really don’t want the burger, I have stocked the fridge with all your favorite things.”

  “On second thought, I love the idea of the burgers.” He sat at the table, Annie placing the burger on his plate. “The only thing missing is the annoying waiter.” But then Derrick looked around. “Knowing Brian…”

  He stood but Annie motioned for him to sit back down. “There isn’t a waiter in hiding about to pounce. Brian knows I would hunt him down and smack him silly if he did such a thing.”

  Derrick couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, being smacked silly would be just about the worst thing I could imagine.”

  “Oh, you.”

  They ate the burgers and drank sparkling apple juice, the closest thing to champagne for her, with the pain medication. And then Derrick stood, offering her his hand.

  “May I have this dance, my lady?”

  “Why, Mr. Darcy, I never thought you’d ask.”

  Drawing her up into his arms, he held her close, moving slowly to the music.

  Annie was resting her head upon his chest, and closing her eyes, she smiled. “I can hear your heart.”

  “What’s it saying?”

  “Shhh, it’s a secret.”

  When they woke the next morning in each other’s arms, Annie smiled at the sight of the
sun as it crept between the curtains, making its way across the floor and onto their bed. She always enjoyed the mornings, the new sun, the cool fresh air, the gentle, hushed quiet as the day began.

  Reaching up, she grasped Derrick’s hand in hers. “So you are real. I didn’t just imagine you then.” He sniffed as if amused by her comment.

  “Like I said, you’re stuck with me. No getting rid of me now.”

  Resting her head on his arm, she closed her eyes, feeling him close to her as he held her in his arms. “Do you think we could just stay here like this?”

  “Well, I could say yes, but then my arm would eventually go to sleep, and my bladder would start complaining.”

  “My, more romantic words I have never heard.”

  “Well, you asked. It’s not my fault I’m not perfect.”

  Annie rolled over and looked up into his eyes, but Derrick held up his hand.

  “Ah, I know what you’re going to say, and no, I am not.”

  She grinned up at him. “Mood spoiler.”

  “Yes, I have been known to do that, from time to time. What can I say?”

  “How about — ” she brought her finger up pressing it to his lips “ — nothing.”

  He made a muffled attempt at talking, and she laughed and kissed him.

  “Yes, I can see where that would be much preferable to talking.”

  “There, we agree on something.” She hugged him to her and sighed. “I’m going to grab a shower, can you make some coffee?”

  “Me, make coffee?” He laughed. “I thought you knew who you were marrying?”

  “Are you telling me, after all this time you still can’t make a cup of coffee?”

  “Not if my life depended on it.”

  “All right, you grab a shower, and I’ll make some coffee.”

  “Are you trying to tell me something?”

  She climbed out of bed and turned back, looking down on him. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

  “Oh, nothing.”

  She grinned, walking from the bedroom. “Just don’t complain when the coffee I make isn’t any better than yours.”

  Derrick joined her in the kitchen after he had showered. Grabbing Annie from behind, he held her around the waist as he looked over her shoulder. “So, how’s that coffee coming along?”

  “Well, I’ll let you see for yourself.” Pouring him a cup, she handed it to him, and awaited judgment.

  “Oh, God! You’re right, yours is worse than mine.”

  “Now that’s not the way I worded it, and I did tell you to make it, if you’ll recall.”

  “True.” But then he laughed. “This tastes fine. Actually, it’s quite good.”

  “You don’t need to say that as if you are surprised.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Now, you can make the breakfast while I grab a shower.”

  Derrick laughed even harder. “I think we’ve already had this conversation. Something about me and kitchens not having anything in common.”

  “Well, then make bacon and eggs. How badly can you mess that up?”

  “Oh, you really don’t know me at all, do you?”

  “Then scramble the eggs. That’s pretty much messed up eggs, so it will be right up your alley.” Patting his hand, she walked back in the direction of the bedroom.

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he called after her and turned, staring at the kitchen before him. “Um…okay, Derrick, you are not a complete imbecile. You can do this.” Rummaging through the cupboards, he found everything he could possibly need. Heating the pans, he got the bacon going and then put the eggs into a second pan. “See, this isn’t so hard.” Letting the eggs cook for a bit, he then scraped the pan with a plastic spatula. Flipping the bacon, he listened as it sizzled. “I could actually get good at this.” Waiting until everything seemed cooked, he then scraped them from their pans out onto two plates. “Annie, it’s ready,” he called in the direction of the bedroom.

  “Yes, I see that.”

  “Oh, God! You startled me. How long have you been standing there?”

  “Not long.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Because I was enjoying watching you cook. You really are quite good at it you know. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

  “Well, the few times I tried, it was such a disaster it was decided I’d best stop because I was wasting the food.”

  “Who decided?”

  “My mom, girlfriends, me.”

  “Your mom told you to stop?”

  “No. She would never say anything like that, but I could see the look on her face when I had to throw the food out. It wasn’t like we could afford to waste it, so…”

  Annie nodded in understanding. “And just how many girlfriends are we talking about?”

  “Ah, as soon as I said it, I wondered if I should have mentioned it.”

  “You never answered my question.”

  “Not as many as you would think. I have been kind of busy over the years, concentrating on creating my success. I never had time for a relationship. At least not a real one.” He hadn’t given her a number, but she seemed satisfied.

  “We’d better eat before it gets cold. Considering all the work you went to, to make it.”

  He held her chair, and she sat as he pushed it in for her. He was trying to make everything as normal as possible, doing everyday things, and it meant a lot to her.

  “So? How is it?”

  She took a bite, and slowly chewing, she smiled at him.

  “Are you telling me you actually like it?”

  “This is good. See, I told you, you couldn’t screw up scrambled eggs.” Taking a bite of the bacon, she smiled again. “It’s perfect. Just the way I like it, not too underdone and not too crisp”

  “Well, now that was a fluke.”

  “So, you are telling me you won’t be able to duplicate this?”

  “Well…”

  “Tell you what, from now on we’ll make the coffee and the meals together. How does that sound?” He was relieved, and she laughed at him

  “Yes, I think that’s a great idea. I have a feeling that between the two of us, we just might be able to make this work.”

  “Me too.” But then she shrugged. “Or we could pick up something already made, you know, those things you just warm up. Hey, or even take-out.”

  “Are you suggesting that two grown adults aren’t capable of doing this one simple task?”

  “Now I never said that.”

  “Sounds like you are to me.”

  “Well, this way we won’t be so stressed out about eating, something that should be enjoyable and relaxing.”

  He thought on what she said. “You’ve got a point.”

  She laughed and took another forkful of eggs. “These really are good though.”

  “You’re just worried I won’t be able to do those again either.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  He grinned, and they ate the rest of the meal in silence, each enjoying the moment together, and after putting the dishes in the sink, they walked along the beach, the way they did every morning, holding hands as Annie leaned against Derrick’s shoulder.

  “I like it here. It’s so peaceful and quiet. I can actually hear myself think.”

  “I thought you would.” He turned to face her, and taking her into his arms, he held her to him, looking down into those eyes that stared up at him without expectation. Kissing her, he then hugged her to him. “Have I told you I love you yet, today?”

  “No.”

  “I love you, Annie.”

  Holding him close, she memorized the moment. “I love you too.”

  Moving over to the dunes, they laid out a blanket and sat upon it watching the waves. Annie in Derrick’s arms as he held her while they sat.

  The next few weeks seemed to pass quickly, much more quickly than Derrick had hoped. But the time they spent together was precious to him, and he wouldn’t have cha
nged it for anything in the world. They walked on the beach and watched old movies in the DVD player, and Annie would always cry at the sad endings. But she never cried for herself. Oh at first, the idea of losing Derrick was painful, but knowing that he would continue after she was gone gave her a kind of peace, just knowing he was still here in the world, living and breathing and feeling the sun on his face. It made her happy to think about it as she would lean back into his arms.

  “I am so glad we came here.” Resting her head back upon him, she stared out at the sunset as the waves washed up upon the beach. Their rhythmic rush was not unlike that of her heart as she closed her eyes, listening to its hushed rise and fall, coming to her on the wind. “I love you, Derrick Sloane.”

  Bringing his lips close to her ear, he whispered. “I love you, Annie.”

  She patted his arm tenderly. “Hey, it’s Mrs. Sloane to you.”

  He grinned, and lacing his fingers with hers, he held her hand up, looking at the simple gold band upon her finger. “I’m glad we came here too.”

  Drawing her feet up beneath her, she pulled her shawl up over her arms. Around them were the ubiquitous white flowers in the sand, their white faces gently bobbing in the breeze.

  “I’m happy. Are you happy?”

  “Yes. I’m very happy.”

  She relaxed into his arms, her head resting against his. “I’m so happy,” she whispered.

  He held her like that, as she lay so still within his arms, her face and arms becoming cool as the sun went below the horizon. And kissing her forehead a tear slipped from his eye. “Goodbye, my love.”

  Derrick sat up in bed, and wiping the tears from his face, he slowly looked over to see the left side of the bed empty, the sheets undisturbed. The bedside table bare. Grabbing the remote, he turned on the television. He needed something to distract him, noise, talking, discussions, conversations about anything, and everything. It didn’t matter, as long as it was something, the sound of people so it wouldn’t feel like he was alone. He turned the volume up, and stumbling into the washroom, he switched on the light and looked in the mirror. He sighed, and turning on the taps, he leaned down, splashing cold water onto his face. He shook his head and grabbing a towel, he buried his face within its cotton fibers. Tossing it aside, he stared once more into the mirror.