Love Is Blind

"What was the name of that coffee place again, Sir?" Walter asked from the driver's seat.

"It's The Bell Jar, Walter," Michael replied.

He was sat in the back of his family's town car, enjoying the late September afternoon sun on his face. The drive to the coffee shop was pleasant and he almost felt like he would fall asleep any second. "Good thing we're stopping by the Bell Jar in any case," he thought, "I'm gonna need a coffee."

When he phoned the shelter, the message said to ask at The Bell Jar. He found it strange, but went along with it. It seemed the shelter was struggling with staff, because no one picked up the phone, hence the prerecorded message.

"We're here, Sir," Walter announced.

"Thanks, Walt. I'll just be a minute." Michael whipped out his cane and started out of the car, but Walter was already there, offering his steady arm for support.

"Thank you, old friend," Michael said, "but if you could just point me to the entrance, I think I'll be fine on my own. Want me to get you something? Do you feel like a latte? Or a muffin?"

"I feel like an old man, Sir, but thank you for asking. I shall be waiting for you in the car."

The Bell Jar was buzzing with conversation, cups and saucers clinking, steam hissing from the espresso machine, with piano jazz music in the background. Naturally, the smell of fresh ground coffee was everywhere, alerting his senses with its pleasant aroma. It was a challenge to get to the counter without assistance, but Michael soldiered on. The thought of needing to rely on others constantly bothered him immensely. Ever since the accident and the pain of losing his sight, he'd been dependent on others physically, but mentally and emotionally, he was on his own. The darkness was his own. He will carry it alone. Being a burden was unacceptable to him. And that's exactly why he was visiting the shelter.

One of the patrons of the Bell Jar pointed him in the direction of the counter and as he was slowly making his way towards it, someone to his right bumped into him and suddenly he lost his balance, sprawling over a railing to his left. Luckily, the railing stopped him from falling on the table near by - falling over was one thing, he got used to it nowadays, but hot coffee burns he could live without. There was someone apologizing profusely while trying to help him up - a woman's voice, sounding utterly mortified and genuinely apologetic.

"Oh my gosh, I am such a klutz, I'm so sorry, let me help you up... oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there." The litany went on.

"No worries, I didn't see you there either," Michael said with a crooked smile while dusting off his sleeve. She paused for an awkward moment and then burst into a nervous giggle. "Hi, I'm Lisa. Let me buy you a coffee, it's the least I can do."

"Um, sure, can't say no to free coffee," he grinned. "I'm Michael."

"Okay, nice to meet you, Michael! What can I get you? My friend Tess makes the best oat milk lattes."

“So, you work here?” Michael asked.

“Yup! Unless they fire me after our little incident... Not my first time, mind you - I’m quite... spatially challenged, let’s say,” Lisa shrugged.

“Then you must have bought a lot of coffees for all those people you’ve mauled,” Michael joked. “Or have they sued?”

“The jury’s out on that one!” she teased. “Let me get you your coffee and then I really need to get back to work.”

“That’s fine, I just need to ask you something real quick.”

“Shoot.”

“I’m looking to adopt a guide dog and have been told the shelter here boasts quite a lot of service dogs. When I called, they said to ask here, so, here I am.”

“Ah, okay, that’s right. I volunteer at the shelter, as well. After my shift I’m going there, actually. Most of the staff that’s still there is few and far between, so they don’t really have anyone answering the phone, but they have me next door to yap to anyone who wants to listen.”

“Well, I’m all ears.” Michael grinned.

“Oh, I see what you did there!”

“Touche. Well, how about we go over there after your shift ends? If you don’t mind, of course.”

“It’ll be my pleasure!” she said, beaming.