The sunset behind the coffee shop in Massachusetts. The backdrop left the sky with smoky clouds moving but lingering. As the cloudes moved away from the coffee shop, light raindrops seeped into the asphalt, leaving the pavement slick with the reflection of nightmares. That's what led Jared to the coffee shop that night. It was after midnight. The air felt chilly accompanied by the rain in the autumn. One could tell it was in the autumn becausse of the seaweed, parakeet, fire, mustard, and tuscan sun leaves. But a little punch-fuscia flowers were planted in the pots at the corner of the coffee shop.
When Jared walked into the coffee shop, it appeared empty. It was easy for him to find a table. He sat at a table by the window, looking out into the street. The rain had stopped as if he had caused it and the world felt safe from his departure. He sighed, lowering his gaze to the chocolate table and thought the nightmares had followed him from the darkness of his bedroom. And that the shadows accomapnied him to the coffee shop.
All he needed was the sweetness.
And the brown bitter flavor to wash away the bitterness in his mouth. The hotness of vomit would soon erupt from his belly and choke him with the nightmares he knew had followed him.
There was a waitress approaching.
A real pretty young woman with golden blonde hair pinned into a chaotic bun atop her narrow head. She looked tired. Just as tired as Jared of the nightmares. But only she had a place to leave her nightmares behind at night. She didn't have to sleep in her room and watch the darknened shadows slithering from the corners of the dusty walls. Only to follow her to the same place Jared was sure it had followed him.
The darnkess and the shadows.
But it was the warmth of the coffee shop and woman's soft, tired voice that brought Jared back to reality. He knew he wasn't safe there either. Because it had followed him there. Both of them were the same kind, the darkness and shadows.
The tired young woman asked, "What would you like?"
Jared replied, "Coffee with extra cream and sugar, please."
Jared had said please to the young woman.
He was hoping she could take away his nightmares, like she did her own, being in the coffee shop at night.
The woman left and returned with the coffee.
Just the way Jared liked it.
He sipped the coffee.
The brown liquid tasted sweet and creamy.
Jared closed his eyes savoring the coffee.
The coffee... at the coffee shop.
When he opened his eyes, Jared looked out the window, and there it was.
The darkness and shadows, and the raindrops had returned.