Everywhere Begins with Us
/Day bleeds peach
and velvet.
Neon CASTLE ROCK sign
glows in the window.
Hazelnut coffee—
sweet-bitter—
just Stoya in this dim shop—
an old flame.
Silhouette art shadows maroon walls.
Chocolate, pine, mahogany linger.
Stoya’s hair past her shoulders.
Nose ring—same woman
who left me at the altar.
Espresso hisses,
machines hum.
“Everywhere” trickles
through the ceiling speakers
Crowded tables, blank faces,
light chatter.
“Why now?” I say.
Stoya sighs, meeting my gaze.
“I was stupid.” Her voice cracks.
I almost relish her tears.
I tap the oak.
“You left me in front of—”
“Everyone,” she says,
dabbing her eyes.
“But I was everywhere you went.
In your heart.”
“You were everywhere,
that first missed call,
when I fell for you.
Missing your call,
I found you everywhere,” I say.
She stands, grabs my hand.
“Excuse me?” she calls out.
My pulse thumps.
I reach; she pulls away
and faces the room.
Silence.
“Ten years ago,
I made the worst mistake,”
she says.
“What are you—”
“I left him at the altar.”
Groans ripple through the shop.
“I deserve that,” she says.
“But don’t I deserve a second chance?”
A woman: “You deserve your ass beat,”
“Fair enough,” she says.
“If he felt you everywhere, he has no choice.”
Men clap.
“He’s right,” I say.
“Say you’ll meet me at the altar,” she says,
eyes basking in humility.
“If you’re not there, I’m going to burn your cabin down,” I joke.
She laughs. “A little excessive, but I do.”
“Everywhere begins with us.”
I cup her chin. We kiss everywhere.
By Andy Cooper
From: United States
Website: https://writeovercoffee.blog/
X: AC0040