He Comes for You

Jade leaned against the counter as she pulled out her phone. After responding to a few messages from her friends, she turned to Bernie and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, dear, you stay there. You've still got to clear up out there once he goes."

"…"

Jade did not know whether to laugh or cry. The old guy was so kind usually, but when it came to closing up, he was always the first out the door.

"Then, I think I'll just wait here until he goes."

"Ok." Not realizing his somewhat rude attitude, Bernie finished tidying the kitchen and collected his belongings. As he made his way to the door, he turned to Jade and said, "You should go out there and sit with the lad. He comes here every night for you, you know?"

Flustered, Jade stammered, "W-what? No, no, no. Our shop is just on his way home; it's convenient for me. He's made that clear several times. Besides, I'm sure he has a family at home."

"You're sure?" An incredulous look appeared on Bernie's face. "He's been coming here ever since we took over, and you've never asked after his family?"

"Well, at first, I thought he was like the usual customers. In and out, never to be seen again, but then he kept coming back, and now it's too late to ask…"

With his face in his hands, Bernie gave up. "See ya tomorrow. Is Harry in tomorrow as again?"

"Yes, she's back tomorrow. She was only out today because of a doctor's appointment. Oh, just a reminder, make sure to put the cookies out when you come in tomorrow morning. I've noticed that you've forgotten a few times recently."

"Understood, ma'am!" he said with a joking salute. After bidding farewell, Bernie left the cafe for the night.

"Right then," Jade muttered to herself, "has he left yet?"

She 'stealthily' peeped through the kitchen door to see if the man was still there.

He was.

Sitting at his table, he was patiently sipping his coffee at he stared at the kitchen door, as if waiting for something.

Or rather, someone.

When Jade peeped through, they made eye contact, so to avoid any awkwardness, she quickly exited the kitchen.

"How's your coffee, sir?"

"Good as usual, thanks," he replied with a smile.

Jade looked around for a moment, and realizing that neither planned on saying anything else, she wandered back over to the counter to organize everything for the following day.

By the time she was done reviewing the following day's bookings and the scheduled deliveries, the man had finished his coffee.

He stood up and said, "Thank you for putting up with me so late. I'll be off now; I don't want to keep you any later."

Laughing off the comment, Jade replied, "Not at all, sir. We wouldn't be a good business if we turned away our loyal customers, would we?"

After seeing the man off, Jade finished locking up the cafe and began the walk home.

'Now that I think about it, I've never even asked him for his name…'