Chapter 1: The Old Man in the Cafe
Warm coco is not a hot summer day’s drink but Jeannette still sat in the hot cafe with warm coco. No whispers were exchanged. Each lonely guest consumed in their own business.
Jeannette peaked around the cafe as her grandfather had taught her. Always face the door, Never forget who is where, and remember every face.
Jeannette looked at Mrs. Toubin. Her black eye was less swollen, hair pulled back in a neat bun, she wasn’t crying and she ordered pancakes. These all meant Mr. Toubin was gone or sick.
The first time costumer sat at the bar studying a torn map. He had bread stubble and unkempt dark hair. He was lean for his age. He ignored the cook when he came to take an order and his left shoe was different from the right.
In the far corner sat the cook’s, Mr. O’Merlly, mother knitting away . She is completely blind and deaf in her right ear. A conversation with her will get nowhere but last an entire day.
Jeannette put her tip on the table and walked over to the old man.
“Excuse me sir. “Do you need help?” Jeannette went straight to the point.
“Yes. Where is Daton’s?”
“You are in Daton’s”
“I mean on the map”
“Here,” she pointed to the map
“Yes now how far to the door?
“The door?”
“yes I must return home”
“Where is your home?”
“Through the door”
“Okay let me look it up. Jeannette pulled her phone out and searched ‘The door’. No results came. “No place called the door exists here. I’m sorry.”
“It’s Invisible.”
“Oh.”
“Only to the Human Eye.”
“But you can see it?”
“Yes. I’m not human and neither are you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You should come through the door with me”
“Okay, let me call a friend that can help us find the door” Jeannette stepped away and called the police.
