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The sound of falling rain that started late morning has yet to let up and the cafe was empty of customers. Unsurprising, as most people would rather rush home on a Friday evening rather than stop for a cup of coffee. This was perfectly fine with Dee Tier, who stifled a yawn as he watched all the passersby run and hide, most probably hoping to avoid the rain. The lack of customers made Dee tempted to close early, but if his boss ever found out she’d have his head, besides just standing around and making money for doing nothing isn’t the worst deal ever, no matter how boring it might be.
Just as Dee pushed himself back with the plan to pick up a broom and start doing some actual work, the bell by the door gave a slight ring. The wind must be getting pretty strong out there, Dee thought, looking up anyways. To his surprise it was a customer.
“Welcome to Villainy Coffee and Things! What can I help you with today?” Dee cited the usual greeting that was already burned into his brain in a singsong voice, plastering on his best customer service smile.
The man that walked in wore all black, his expensive looking overcoat blended him into the shop, almost as if he belonged there. The suave air about him was quickly dampened as he struggled to close his umbrella for a moment too long.
“Would you…like some help?”
The man stopped for a second, as if just realizing there was someone else in the room with him. He looked up from the umbrella, making eye contact with Dee. Shaking off the umbrella and finally closing it while never breaking eye contact, the stranger offers a curt “No.” walking towards the counter.
“Alright, well umm like I said earlier,” Dee continued “welcome to Villainy Coffee and Things, how may I help you today!”
“Black coffee” the stranger said, taking out his card.
Dee just stared. Really, the audacity of people, not even a please or a thank you. Sighing, he reached out to grab the card.
“Please” the man mumbled under his breath, Dee almost didn’t hear it.
“I’m sorry?”
“Black coffee. Please.” He repeated again, now in a more audible tone.
That. Was not what Dee was expecting. It’s almost like the stranger read his mind but that couldn’t possibly be it. Could it?
“Of course! I will have that right out for you!” Dee’s customer service voice rang through the store, louder than he meant it “and could I have a name for the order?”
“A name?”
“Yep, a name for the order please” he repeated with a smile on his face.
“But I’m the only one here” the stranger stared back in slight confusion.
That is true. He was. But Dee already asked for it and he wasn’t about to back out and admit to his embarrassment, so he said the only excuse that seemed to work every time; “It’s policy!”
“Really?”
Yes Dee, really? Policy? He really was getting in too deep.
“Yes, yes, the owner is a real stickler for names you know, I just work here”
The stranger seemed to consider it for a second but eventually gave in. “S.”
“Alright! S!…S?” He looked up quizzing at the stranger, or S, but didn’t press “I will have that black coffee right out for you.”
S nodded and headed towards a table further away in the corner.
Dee watches him walk away for a little too long, forgetting that he had a coffee to make. When he finally remembered, running to the coffee pot to pour the coffee, he tripped over a stool dropping to the ground. “I’m OK!” He yelled out to no one in particular, getting up he caught a glimpse of S quickly walking back to his table as if he rushed to help Dee.
Finally having poured the coffee, Dee finished it off with the lid and a sleeve, making sure the name and the small cat drawing on the cup was visible. Walking over to S’s table, Dee slid the coffee on the table while sliding himself into the seat across from the strange man.
“So”
S raised an eyebrow at that, looking up at D. “May I help you?”
“What does S stand for?”
“It is my name”
“No it’s not”
“Are you…telling me my name isn’t my name?”
“It can’t be, I don’t believe any parent would just name their kid ‘S’”
“I don’t know what to tell you. You asked for a name and I gave you one” S looked down at this, pretending to read his book.
“No, I don’t believe it” Dee leaned in closer, “is your name Sebastian? You look like a Sebastian.”
When S gave no reaction, Dee took that as an invitation to keep talking. “Is it Sam? Sean? Maybe something embarrassing like Sheldon? Or…”
They continued like this for several hours, after a bit Dee moved on from guessing names to just talking about random things, sometimes going back to name guessing when the topic permitted it. S indulged him, although pretending to read the whole time, sometimes offering a quirked brow or a glimpse of a smile. It was only when Dee’s phone alarm rang that he realized it was almost closing time.
“I am so sorry, I kept you here for so long” Dee sheepishly apologized, getting up to start cleaning the shop.
“It’s no problem” S said, getting up as well and brushing off his coat despite nothing being on it.
“Still,” Dee tried “would you like an apology latte? I would offer you another coffee but it expired while we were talking and I can’t make a new batch right now” A bit embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his neck.
“It’s really alright.” S picked up his umbrella, making his was to the door “I…will see you around”
Dee watched him walk towards the door until he remembered something. “WAIT!” Dee shouted after S.
The other turned around, paused.
“Will you tell me if I get it right? Your name I mean. You have to, I think that’s like the law or something”
S gave a quiet chuckle in response, “Maybe.” A small smile on his face, he turned back around and made his way into the dark night. Leaving Dee wondering if he’ll ever see the strange quiet man again.