Coffeeshop Chronicles #2: Alone, Together
“Shit.”
Marta dropped her coffee spilling it on the counter.
“I don’t have time for this,” she whispered as she shakily grabbed the nearest napkins.
Her two daughters instinctively moved to help her—yet fear kept them at a distance.
While Marta scrambled to clean up the coffee, her daughter Anna quietly walked out of the coffeeshop.
Wiping the coffee off her arm, she saw the time and muttered, “We have to go.” And she walked out, not realizing she left her other daughter.
Eva, realizing she stood alone, opened the door inviting the cold winter air into the warm coffeeshop.
With distance between each of them, the three silently walked down the Polish street— with a glazed look on their faces.
Marta, gripping the coffee carrier firmly, walked as each anxious thought flooded her mind.
“Where will we go?”
“What can I do?”
“What will he—”
Her thought was interrupted.
A car nearly hit Anna.
“Shit.”
Marta dropped her coffee spilling it on the concrete.
Anna looked back at her mom without emotion. They both watched each other for what felt like minutes.
Anna silently continued to cross the street.
“Anna,” Eva whispered. Yet, the cold wind carried youngest’s voice away.
They reached the apartment and walked up the old stairs to their tiny room.
As they opened the door they were greeted by unfamiliar scents. They knew each smell—yet, each one was a reminder that this wasn’t home.
They sat down on the mattress laid on the cold floor and looked over their mothers phone.
They each read the latest news headline.
Russia has surrounded Kiev.
Eva whispered, “I hope Dad is okay.”
Marta, putting down her phone, hugged Eva and Anna.
“Moya lyubov, we will see him soon.”
Excerpt: This post was written after observing a mother and her children walking together, yet separately. It was an exploration of assuming the best and there must be some intense trial that is affecting their family unit. It was a reminder of the importance of caring for each member of your family even when times are intense and isolating.
Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash
