Letters // Ashton Irwin

XXIV

xxiv 

A couple of weeks had passed. The cold days had been replaced by slightly less cold days and Ashton would finally be able to sleep without having his feet freeze off every night. Things seemed good between him and Tiffany. After she had returned to their apartment that one night, Madison's name was not once dared to be said aloud. I had bothered Ashton a little at first, because even though Tiffany had promised him that everything would be fine, that she would never not trust him, she had acted different the first few days. But Ashton had let it pass, and as said before, things seemed good between them. 

Tiffany had apologized for storming out of the building during her shift that one day, and luckily she didn't get in any trouble. She had returned to work some days later and had been behaving perfectly ever since. She offered to take over shifts, to work late if needed, and acted even nicer to customers than she had done before. 

On some days, when the busiest hour of the day in the coffee shop had passed, Tiffany found a minute or two to look around the room and imagine what the people around her were like. There was an old man who entered the shop approximately once a week. He'd order an espresso, sometimes a cortado, and almost always chose to sit around the largest table in the room. This table was placed in the left corner next to the large window, and allowed about 14 people to sit at it. There were plants, board games and magazines on it, which gave you a somewhat cozy living room feeling. Tiffany thought the old man secretly seeked company, but noticed that he never said a word to anyone joining him at the table. He barely even looked up if the seat next to him welcomed a new person. 

A young couple had entered the shop. They ordered a medium freshly made orange juice (to share, which they unnecessarily mentioned), two regular coffees, and a ham and cheese sandwich. Tiffany told them she would bring the order to their table once it was ready, and the couple nodded and said thanks before turning around to look for a free table. They were lucky enough to notice a table in the prettiest corner of the shop. At least, Tiffany had always looked at it as if it were the prettiest. Overall she really liked the look of the shop with its high ceilings, the concrete brick walls and the many plants. But the corner that the couple had just walked up to had to be her favourite. Two rather large plants, Tiffany remembered a colleague once saying one was a palm and the other a ficus, made the corner look like a small hidden place behind their leaves. A string of lights was hung across the wall, accompanied by a large abstract painting. 

Not long after, Tiffany brought the drinks and sandwich to the couple's table, and quickly went back to the bar to help another customer. After this, she couldn't help but look back at the couple. She wondered how they had met, what their names were, if he bought her flowers now and then. Or if she bought him flowers. Somewhere along the wondering, she felt jealousy rise in her body. She shook it off quickly. Tiffany had nothing to be jealous of, Ashton had been an amazing boyfriend. She wouldn't trade her relationship for the world. And somehow, she couldn't help but feel it. I wish he'd bring me flowers once in a while. 

This is ridiculous, she then thought. Ashton made her breakfast almost every morning, even if he didn't have to wake up as early as she had to. I bet they don't make each other breakfast, that's why they're sharing orange juice right now. A new customer brought Tiffany back to reality which she was thankful for. While preparing the order, Tiffany noticed the old man leaving the building, and she kindly waved him goodbye, but he didn't see it. 

The last hour of Tiffany's shift went by quite quickly, even though it wasn't very busy. She walked home most of the times, and often took the long way through the park. She enjoyed the walk, and only took the bus if it was raining heavily. This time, during the walk, she thought once again about the couple from before and the jealousy she had felt. But she soon replaced this thought with the thoughts about how she had met Ashton months ago. How lucky she had been. How much she was looking forward to having dinner with him later and then spending the night watching a movie they both loved. 

She opened the front door, called Ashton's name when she didn't notice him in the living room, and then continued her way through their apartment to the kitchen. And there she saw her loving boyfriend, standing behind the dining table. 

He was holding flowers. 

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hi i'm back, i hope everyone's feeling okay and feeling loved. 2020 sucks and i'm sure i'm not the only one who hasn't been feeling the same lately. Please don't hide your emotions, talk about them. My inbox is always open if you want someone to talk to. Tell me about your day, how your dog's doing, what you had for breakfast.