The Café

The wind howled as she walked, pulling her coat tighter around herself. Juliet Hanson made her way down the street, head lowered against the wind, heels clacking loudly on the cobblestone. It was still fairly early on this fall morning. The sun shot rays through the fog, lighting the town in an eerie glow. There was enough sun to light her path, but not enough to keep her skin from stinging wherever was exposed.

Juliet approached a building, stepping inside with a heavy exhale of air. She loved the season, but hated the temperature. It was nearing Halloween and the small café was decorated in orange and black. She approached a booth near a window, lowering herself into the seat. A moment later, someone joined her, sitting across from her.

“Just one?” a barista asked, setting a mug down between them and pouring some steaming coffee into it.

“Two, actually.” They corrected as one.

Juliet eyed her new companion sadly as the barista placed another coffee between them. Juliet placed her hands around her mug, but didn’t drink, allowing the heat to penetrate her hands. As cold as she was, though, she scarcely noticed.

“Kris, how have you been?” Juliet asked, willing herself to warm up.

“It’s been a rough week.” Kris sighed, running her fingers through her blond curls.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Honestly, without you, I’ve been feeling a bit invisible.”

Juliet felt a twinge of guilt as she was reminded of that night a year before. Kris and Juliet had been at a party together, drinking more than they should have. When they left, Kris had been driving. She was more than a little drunk. The roads were slick with ice. The curve was too sharp and Kris approached it way too fast. Both teenagers did not walk away from that accident.

Was it possible that Kris, after all this time, still didn’t know she was dead?

“At school, people don’t even acknowledge me.” Kris explained hotly, face twisting in indignation, “I can feel them looking at me, but they always look away if I try to make eye contact. They won’t talk to me. Teachers don’t call on me in class. I feel so alone, Jules.”

“I know, I should see you more than once a week.” Juliet’s eyes moistened as she thought of how her friend must feel.

Every Saturday since the accident, Juliet and Kris would meet at this café. They would have order coffee, but neither one would drink. All this time, Juliet thought that Kris had known. Instead, her friend had been going about her usual routine, not understanding that Juliet was the only person who could see her. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how awful that must be.

“Kris, there’s something I have to tell you.”

“Stood up again?”

Juliet felt a pang of annoyance at having just been interrupted and turned with a snap before freezing. It wasn’t Juliet the barista was fixing with a sympathetic stare.

“I’ll give her another minute.” Kris smiled gently.

The barista nodded, leaving them alone once more. Juliet felt the world began to tilt, horror shooting through her like a geyser. Kris’ smile slowly slid from her face as she caught Juliet’s expression.

“Oh, Jules,” Kris breathed, eyes running over, her words sounding like they were coming from a million miles away, “you thought it was me?”