Chapter Text
When I first walked down this rocky path,
I would see a ton of smiling faces.
An uproar of yells that began outside.
Maybe I was a celebrity?
They slowly walked away as each day passed.
When I see a new face, I open up a simple smirk.
I got money, and I spent my time wisely,
Another afternoon which moved slowly.
There was a loud cluster that came crashing down.
Some kid was making loud noises,
Showing me pictures of his brother.
Pleading their eyes for more cupcakes.
I could not help but laugh.
When a close friend of the brother came,
He seemed like he ran a city over this kid.
The kid ran away from his tutor lessons.
I stood there in the awkward silence.
Bittering in the background,
I stormed into the kitchen
Before catching a breath.
A change of heart was within me,
Weeks went by, less customers came up to me.
Their eyes felt hazed.
I was about to close the cafe as the night growled.
The sound of a new customer, a soothing breeze.
But her smile warmth me with her kindness,
An echo in my thoughts that rumble,
A stranger, keep away.
She approached me for an order.
I asked, “What's your order?”
Her response was odd.
She stood still, minutes ticking on the clock.
I was considering leaving.
The minutes felt hours, then it felt years.
She got a strawberry cake,
And she told me to keep it.
I took a breath, seeing their eyes covered.
Her smile twisted, their kindness faded.
The life she earned, I had lost.
She lied, saying it was the ocean of joy.
Her tears were a blessing, but to me it felt sorrowful.
I smiled widely while I embraced her.
She was gritting her teeth, pushing me away.
A thunder of yells, fear took over her.
She weeped in the silence, and I never asked for a reason.
There was a soft whisper,
Telling her that she is brave.
Telling her that she was kind.
Telling her she deserved more than the world.
Because there was a package with no return of address.
Emotions were bottled, and yet, they are valid.