The Moment

The only thing grayer than the concrete was the sky. I was waging a bet with myself on who would make it to the ground first, the sunlight or the rain. I walked into the coffee shop, my eyelids straining to get out of my pupils’ way. My arm propped up the rest of my body against the wooden counter. I took a black coffee and closed my eyes until they called my name. The warmth of the heater kissed my skin and nearly convinced me that there was a reason to smile that day. But it wasn’t enough.

The scarf I had on was starting to itch. I took it off and let the air get to my clammy skin. I wanted to put my head down and sleep and forget about the day that had yet to happen and regret the day that had just finished. Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was destiny. Or maybe I was in the right place in the right time. But as I turned my head my eyes caught a smile. It drew the rest of my face toward the lovely face it belonged to. Her eyes were hidden behind the brim of a wool cap.

I looked away just as quickly as I had spotted her. There was no way she was looking at me. Before I could give it another thought, they called my name. My coffee was ready. I shot up and took the warm paper cup in my hand. I walked toward the door and heard the jingle of the bells as I swung it open. Again, maybe it was fate, maybe it was destiny, but I turned my head back and caught the prettiest eyes from beneath that wool cap looking at me. She just as quickly turned away and smiled into her magazine. I smiled to myself.

There was no reason to forget tomorrow or regret yesterday. All of that melted away with the smoke from my coffee drifting towards the clouds. There was only this moment, and a smile that made me cherish it.