Coffee Crush

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Chase flew in long strides hoping to catch the train. He was late again. Only the train’s squeals and horns could be heard from a distance. He had missed it again the second time in a row. He supported his knees with his arms in frustration. Chase had thought that the new city and Job would help him get over his ex. It appeared he was failing at that too. The smell of fresh coffee brewing hit his nostrils. He hadn't had any breakfast.

He looked towards the cafe opposite the subway. Through the glass, he sighted the same beautiful young lady he saw the day before. She could have been about twenty. He wasn't sure if it was the conjuring smell of coffee or the captivating beauty that enchanted him. He walked into the cafe with sadness and defeat written all over his face. Despite his frantic effort to catch the morning train, he had missed it. He looked down at his feet. He was missing a sock. His top buttons were undone and he forgot to wear cologne.

“A cafe macchiato please”. Chase ordered as he settled on a table. The petite waitress with full red lips smiled at him. Instantly, Chase felt lighter as though a weight had been lifted off his body. He looked around the cafe. Only a couple of men sat in the corner drinking coffee and chatting very loudly. In the far end was the young lady just sitting there in the same position and clothes as before.

She caught all of Chase's attention. It was in the way she sat with so much calm and composure. Even from a distance, Chase could sense an aura of charm. She was beautiful in her short black hair. She wore a fascinator, an A-line dress with hose, and stilettos. She looked like a star from a period drama.“hmmm, in 2022?” Chase thought to himself. She must be a rebel. I love rebels.

Chase got off his seat. He was going to speak to her. He then saw a reflection of himself on a glass shelf. “Not today Chase! Not today”. He resolved to watch passengers get off the train while occasionally glancing at the young woman.

The next day was a weekend. Chase had no train to catch but he went to the subway. He had only one mission- to speak with the beautiful lady. He smelled his breath and body. This time, he wore his favorite clothes and cologne. He looked the part of a gentle man in his well-groomed outfit.

He said a silent prayer before he looked through the glass window of the cafe. “Great! She's right there as I anticipated.” It was like she never left the cafe.

Chase walked into the cafe and he was greeted by a heavy scent of coffee that hit his core. He opened his mouth to speak as he settled on a chair. “ A cup of cafe macchiato eh?” The waitress beat him to it. “Make it two cups my lady now will you?” Chase smiled. The petite woman looked in the direction of the lady, back at Chase, and smiled.

Chase picked up the coffee in both hands, put on his best charms and finally approached the young woman. He sat beside her. “Hi. Do you care for a cup of coffee?” He smiled exposing his sparkling set of white teeth.

“Are you the mailman? Did you bring the letter from Tom? I hope you are. I want to make it right this time”. The young woman quickly turned to look at Chase. There was eagerness and longing in her eyes. “If I had just waited for the letter before leaving, then just maybe....”

“Letter?” Chase was perplexed.

“Yes. In Tom’s previous letter, he had asked me to wait for his next message before leaving. I didn't listen. I wanted to surprise him”. Her face turned pale.

“That evening, the train came and the passengers boarded. I do not remember the details now, but there was a collision and the train crashed. The engine man had too much to drink, he had left his position unattended and began throwing tantrums. The passengers feared the inevitable”. Her calm demeanor crumbled into frustration. There was not a single surviving soul to tell the story”. A tear dropped from her left eye.

“Oh That's tragic”. Chase wasn't prepared for the outburst of information he had just received.

“Wait. How do you know the entire story if there were no survivors?”

“Because I was on that train in 1933”. She replied wiping the teardrop from her cheek.