[ WP ] A love story in a coffee shop during an autumn night .

I sat alone in my favorite seat reading the newspaper in the far corner of the coffee shop. For the past few months it has been a routine of mine. The baristas practically expected me. “ Good evening Mr. Johnson. Would you like the usual? ” Katie, a young blonde-haired barista would ask when I arrived every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. I ’ d wave, nod my head, and find the day ’ s newspaper awaiting me at my seat. I grab the newspaper and glance over the latest news about the stock market, and check up on the latest baseball scores. This coffee shop was special to me; it was something that I held on to. 
 
 Tonight was different though. You see, autumn once held a special place in my heart. To most, it marks the transition from the hot days of summer to the colder days of winter. But to me, autumn marks the time I met Ashley. A few years ago, in this very coffee shop, I sat in the exact corner I ’ m sitting in now, reading the newspaper. The night was nothing special. I got off of work late, and decided to grab a cup of coffee before meeting up with some friends. As I sat for a few minutes with the newspaper covering my face, the barista came and delivered me my coffee. In the split second I set the paper down to grab my coffee was when I first noticed her. 
 
 She sat by herself a few seats down from me, reading my favorite book, The Lord of the Rings. She twisted her beautiful, curly brown hair with her finger while gazing intently at the book. And as the barista left my table to deliver her Frappuccino, I became absolutely mesmerized by her beauty. She had the most beautiful smile, and her blue eyes lit up the whole coffee shop. I had never felt this way about a girl before, and I certainly never had the courage to talk to a girl I found attractive. But before I even had the chance to stop myself, I found myself walking over to her chair to introduce myself. I have no idea why she didn ’ t just blow me off then and there. As I reached my hand out to shake hers, I knocked over her Frappuccino straight onto her lap. I expected her to be upset, or even yell at me, but she just laughed about it. From that point forward Ashley and I dated, and a year later we were married. She was my everything; she was my life. 
 
 Autumn also marks a very dark time in my life. On our one-year anniversary, Ashley and I decided to go to the coffee shop where we first met. I didn ’ t work far from the coffee shop, so I got there first around 7 p.m. and waited for her. But she didn ’ t come that night. After waiting at the coffee shop for over an hour, I got a call telling me that Ashley had been in a car accident, and that she didn ’ t make it. It shattered me, and everything I believed in. Tonight would have been our three-year anniversary, and every Wednesday since then I find myself in the same coffee shop, sitting at the same seat at the exact same time, waiting for my Ashley to come back. I knew deep down in my heart she wasn ’ t coming back, but coming here gave me something to hold on to. 
 
 “ Here ’ s your coffee Mr. Johnson, ” Katie says, bringing me back to reality. I set my newspaper down, smile, and thank her for the coffee. As she walks away, I notice Katie delivering an iced coffee to a girl sitting alone a few seats down from me. Before I grab my newspaper, I notice something about this girl. She was reading The Lord of the Rings. I couldn ’ t believe what I was seeing. Was God playing a cruel trick on me? I couldn ’ t take it so a grabbed my newspaper, kept my head down, and began to leave. 
 
 As I ’ m walking out, I suddenly run into the person in front of me, spilling their coffee all over their shirt. “ Oh my gosh, I ’ m so sorry! ” I say feeling like an idiot. 
 
 “ Don ’ t worry it ’ s fine, ” she laughs. I look up and notice it was the girl reading The Lord of the Rings. 
 
 “ Let me get you some napkins ” I say stuttering every other word. 
 
 She chuckles, and starts twirling her hair just like Ashley used to. And on this autumn night I realized something. I loved Ashley more than anything, but she was never coming back. I had come to this coffee shop for the past two-years holding on to a memory. Tonight, I feel Ashley telling me that it is time to let go. 
 
 As I hand her the napkins I swallow the giant lump in my throat and introduce myself, “ I ’ m so sorry for running into you. I ’ m Chase by the way. ” 
 
 She smiles and reaches out her hand, “ Nice to meet you Chase. My name is Ashley. ” 
 
 

