Just One Cup

Chapter 1

     My shop is open every day from 6 am to 10 pm. There's a giant man who comes in, always in the corner with his black hot coffee and classic book. He's there every day from 9 pm to 10 pm. After that, he waits outside, drinking his second cup, until I lock up. I've never really talked to the man, except to take his order. However, he follows me two steps behind until I get home and lock the door. At first, I was a little spooked, so I started carrying a knife and pepper spray. The next day, after I began carrying, he told me, as I took his order, that it was good to carry a weapon, and I should be very careful.

      It continued night after night. I would walk into my house and lock the door. Eventually, after months, I started to just accept it.

     His name is Andonis, at least that's what he told me. From what I've gathered from watching him, he's quiet, a people watcher. He likes classics, but sometimes he reads romance novels—one that I read all the time. When I mentioned that I also liked the book and that it was one of my favorites, he just nodded and walked to the seat he claimed.

     I don't know why he follows me, but I started to find comfort in it, that he's with me and that no one will attack me with a huge guy walking right behind me. He never misses a night, not once ever, and it seems to be the only thing that does stay the same. I just wish he would talk to me.