Paige of Destiny

Paige’s P.O.V.

Every day, I work at the Misty Cup Cafe, serving customers coffee, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and whatever else they order. Most people become a blur. I know the regulars, of course, and I greet all of them with a smile, but there is one man who I wait for every day. I don’t know anything about him other than his name is Tristan, and he never smiles. I try to say something witty or funny, but his expression never changes. What could have caused him to be so sad all the time?

I pull my long brown hair into a ponytail, wash my hands, and return to taking orders. I have worked at this place for three years, and I’m now the day shift manager. Working here for so long wasn’t my plan. I moved to Burlington, Vermont, after my parents died in a helicopter accident just off the coast of San Diego. I had to get away from the pain and memories, so I packed everything I wanted to take and drove across the country. I ended up in Burlington because my car broke down right after I arrived, and I decided to stay rather than continuing on to Maine as I had planned.

I look toward the door as I hand the woman in front of me her espresso. Tristan just walked in. My smile falters when I see a little girl at his side. I’ve never seen him with a child or a woman, so I assumed he was single. He’s tall and muscular with thick, wavy black hair and intense blue eyes. The little girl has blonde hair and the same blue eyes as Tristan. She smiles as they approach the counter.

“Large black coffee,” he says. He’s one of the few customers who just orders plain coffee. I expect him to order something for the little girl, but he doesn’t.

“Are you doing something fun today?” I ask, glancing from him to her.

“No,” he replies as he pays for his coffee and turns to walk out. The little girl smiles up at me.

“Don’t pay attention to him. He forgets how to talk to people sometimes,” she says.

“I’m Paige. What’s your name?” I ask.

“Destiny. My daddy’s name is Tristan. He’s really sad. That’s why he doesn’t talk to people,” she says. I glance outside and see her dad standing outside talking on the phone.

“Why is he sad?” I ask as I get the next customer a blueberry muffin and vanilla cappuccino.

“My mommy died when I was little. She had my baby brother in her belly, and they both died.” She looks at her dad with the most heartbreaking look. I want to ask her more questions, but I don’t think it’s my place to do so.

“I’m sorry about your mom and your brother. Do you want anything?” Destiny smiles and shakes her head.

“No, thank you. I have to go now. Bye.” She runs out the door as someone else walks in. She and her dad walk away a few minutes later. Now I understand why he never smiles. I can’t imagine the pain he went through losing his wife and his son. Taking care of Destiny is probably the only thing keeping him going.

I think about Tristan and Destiny for the rest of the day. Thanksgiving is in two days, and I wasn’t planning on doing anything, but I would like to invite them over for dinner. That would be weird, though, since the only reason I know anything about them is because of what Destiny told me. He would think I was crazy asking him to come over for a holiday meal when all he’s ever said to me is one or two words.

I put my coat and scarf on before stepping outside. We received a dusting of snow this morning, and it’s bitterly cold outside now due to the wind coming off Lake Champlain. I live in a duplex that’s only about a ten-minute walk from the cafe. The wind feels like it’s cutting through my coat, and I’m wishing I had driven my car as I head home.

As I turn down the block to my house, I run into a brick wall and fall onto my butt on the cold, hard sidewalk. There was a reason my parents didn’t name me Grace. As I prepare to stand, I realize it wasn’t a brick wall I ran into; it was a man, and not just any man, but Tristan. He holds his hand out to me. I take it, and he pulls me to my feet.

“I’m sorry,” he says as he releases my hand and takes a step back.

“It was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” He looks uncomfortable, as though he doesn’t know where to look or what to say. I look around but don’t see Destiny anywhere. School is out for the Thanksgiving holiday, but maybe she is at a friend’s or relative’s house.

“You should get out of the cold,” he finally says as he steps aside to let me pass. The cold is the furthest thing from my mind right now.

“Yeah, you should too.” Do I dare ask? What’s the worst that could happen?

“Would you like to get something to eat? It will be my treat for running into you.” He looks stunned that I asked, and then looks around as if I’m talking to someone else.

“I’m not the best company,” he says. At least he didn’t turn me down flat, and he’s not running away.

“That’s okay, I’ve been working all day, so I may not be great company either.” He looks at his watch and runs his hand through his hair.

“Okay, I have a little time.” I would like Destiny to be here as well, to act as a buffer for him, but I’ll take what I can get. I look at the food options close to where we are. There’s a sports bar and an Italian restaurant.

“I don’t live far from here, so how about I make us something to eat?” I can see him starting to change his mind. “I promise I don’t want anything other than to feed you.”

“You really don’t have to. I don’t want to inconvenience you.” I shake my head before he can back out.

“It’s really not an inconvenience. I’m just not in the mood for a sports bar, and I’m not dressed right for the Italian restaurant. We can go back the other way, where there are more places, but my house is closer.” He looks at his watch and sighs.

“Okay.” I begin walking, and Tristan falls into step beside me. I want to ask him about Destiny, but I don’t want to be out of line since he hasn’t mentioned her.

“Are you allergic to anything?” I ask to break the silence.

“No.” He seems uncomfortable with small talk. I wonder about his relationship with Destiny. He appears so reserved, whereas she was ready to tell me all about her family.

“This is my place,” I say when we reach my duplex. I’m glad I cleaned and went grocery shopping yesterday. I open the door, and he follows me inside. After removing my boots, coat, and scarf, I turn to him. He hasn’t moved from the door as he glances around my living room.

“You can hang your coat on the coat rack and make yourself comfortable. I’m going to change my clothes, and then I’ll make us something to eat.” I walk into my bedroom and remove my work clothes. I put on a pair of yoga pants and a loose sweatshirt. After running a comb through my hair, I return to the living room. Tristan is gone. I see a note lying on the small table near the door.

I’m sorry. I just can’t. I’m not sure what he’s apologizing for or what he can’t do, but there is so much pain in just those few words that my heart breaks. I hope this little encounter isn’t going to stop him from coming into the coffee shop. I look out the window and see that the snow is falling again. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to, even if only for a short time. I guess it’s another evening alone. Same as always.