By G.R. LeBlanc
Olive had noticed him at the coffee shop. He always sat alone at the table near the door, nose buried in a book. Every time she’d walk out, he’d smile at her, but she always averted her gaze, her fingers clutching her chai latte as she rushed out.
Behind the counter, the barista adjusted her apron. “The usual?” she asked, her voice humdrum. Olive nodded.
Although she didn’t want to be this predictable and scared person for the rest of her life, the idea of small talk and meeting new people terrified her. Which was probably why she loved working at the local shelter. Animals were more approachable and easier to build a connection with. At least for her.
Still, she found herself drawn to the tousled, sandy-blond-haired guy. She took a steadying breath and glanced in his direction. Her eyes drifted to the book he was reading—a worn paperback copy of Jim Robbins’ “The Man Who Planted Trees.”
Olive knew that book inside out and could talk for hours about the importance of Mother Trees and mycelium, the underground fungal network that keeps forests alive.
That was a conversation worth having.
Glancing at her phone, she realized there was still plenty of time before work. She cleared her throat. “Uh, I’ll have a slice of banana bread too—and two forks, please.”
Once her order was ready, she wiped her palms on her jeans and headed toward the guy’s table. This time, when he looked up and smiled, a sense of calm took root within her, and she smiled back.
* * *
G.R. LeBlanc, a writer from Atlantic Canada, enjoys exploring the hidden meaning within the ordinary, understated moments of life. Her work has appeared in numerous haiku journals, and in publications such as 50-Word Stories and Every Day Fiction. She is also the managing editor at The Hoolet’s Nook, an online publication celebrating short-form writing. Learn more at https://sleek.bio/grleblanc.