The Barista Girl Part 1

Transcript

Hey, did you need something else? A question? Yeah, what's up? Um, yes.

That was me that put the foam heart on your latte. You're welcome. Oh, um, actually I don't do that for everyone.

I just did it on yours. Yes. Why? I wanted to make you smile, I guess.

You have a really nice smile. You're welcome. I do too.

Oh, thank you. I appreciate that. You didn't have to say it, though.

Well, as I said, thank you. Um, so what are you reading there? Is it good? Is it your favorite? Well, I notice you read a lot.

You're always reading when you come in here. You often have a different book, but then this one I see on repeat a lot. Unless you're just one of those people that reads multiple books at the same time.

You can't really do that. I know some people do. It is your favorite.

Nice. Oh, um, yeah, I've noticed you, of course. I mean, you're in here three days a week at least, and I practically live here, it feels like.

So I've noticed you, yeah. I am here a lot, yeah. I love it.

Most of the time, at least. Yeah, being here keeps me busy. I meet a lot of great people.

Never bored, that's for sure. Still gets a little bit lonely at times, maybe. Yeah, that's true.

People are always in here, but there's a difference, you know. There's a difference in being alone and being lonely. Does that make sense? I'm rambling now, I'm sorry.

Oh, so that's why you like to read. Oh, I never really thought of it that way. It's hard to feel lonely when you have a good book in your imagination.

I get it. That's really cool. You don't seem like someone who's lonely, though.

You're not lonely. Okay, so I was right. Because you're talking to me.

Yeah, quite true, yeah. So do you go to school around here, or do you work? Oh, okay.

Really? And you come all the way over here? I can tell you like it.

I mean, it's good you like coming here. I mean, would you like something? Order something else? I see you're empty-handed there.

No, no, no. I didn't mean it like you were bothering me. Not at all.

I just, um. .. You're in a cafe, and you have nothing to drink or eat, so I just.

.. Um, let's try that again. What is your name, by the way? Lovely to meet you.

They do. They call me Sweet. It's just a nickname.

Because I'm sweet? Allegedly. Um, the owners started calling me that, and I really hated it at first, but quickly learned there was no point in fighting it.

So, yeah, I'm Sweet. Oh, hang on one minute. Do you need me to do anything before I go on my break? Alright, I'll be back at fifteen.

So I'm actually going on my break now. I don't usually eat. No, I prefer to go on a walk.

I like to get outside for a bit. I like to walk over to the park. You know the one that's a couple blocks down? Yeah, that one.

I am. Oh, okay. Well, I'll either see you around, or you're welcome to walk with me if you're not busy.

Oh, no, I don't want to keep you. I'd really like you to, yeah, but only if you really want to. There's no pressure.

Alright, let's go. I did go quiet on you, sorry. I think I feel maybe a bit more confident behind the counter at work, you know? It was really easy to talk to you in there, and now it feels a little different now.

No, it's in a good way. In a good way, yeah, definitely. The heart.

Ah, yes. Alright, what is your question? Yeah, I was serious.

Just you. Um, I don't know. I'm curious about you, I guess.

I'm always really happy when I see you, when you come in. I can't really say I have a crush on you, because I don't know you, but. ..

I really love how so much can be going on around you, and yet you remain completely immersed in whatever you're reading most of the time. I love how you say you'd like a latte with regular milk every time. And I think you're really shy.

No, that's okay. I am a little, perhaps more out of hair, but only a tiny bit. Your shyness doesn't bother me.

No, I kind of find it a welcome challenge. That might have been the other reason for the heart. Well, yeah, it worked, didn't it? It got you to come up and talk to me? See? So, I usually sit right here on this bench, because I can watch the ducks and the geese in the pond over there.

Is that okay? Yeah, I love to watch them. Especially right now, because look, they all have babies.

Aren't they so cute? There are so many of them. It does, it makes me really happy.

Where am I from? Oh. The accent, yeah.

I was born in Ireland. I didn't live there a long time, though. At least, not full-time.

I lived there full-time until I was about six, and then I lived part of the year there, and the rest of the year with my dad in South Africa. And then, when I was done with secondary, I ended up coming here for university. And never left.

I fell in love with it. That explains the accent, yeah. I don't really think about it, but people are always thinking they know exactly what it is, which makes me laugh quite a bit, but.

.. To me, it's just. ..

me. You know? Well, thank you.

I'm glad you like it. So, where are you from? Really? I have not been there, no.

Oh, so don't go there, is what you're saying? Oh, so do you still have family there? After your parents divorced.

Was that hard on you? Oh, that's nice. They waited until you were older.

Six, yeah. Six was a rough age. But you know, it wouldn't have been so bad if my dad stayed in Ireland.

But, I don't know, a lot of time has passed, and it's all good now. Now. I was really mad when I was growing up at both of them, but it's not worth it, you know? They just wanted to be happy, and I'm good now.

Are you close to your parents? Mm-hmm. I get it.

Absence can definitely make the heart grow fonder. They are really cute, aren't they? I love how, especially with the geese, it's like a village.

They all take care of each other. They all watch out for each other's babies. I think that's why they're a bit mean.

There's just so much to protect, you know? You know, I actually have to start walking back. Yeah, I don't want to be late.

I know, time really flew by. And I'm sorry if I talked your ear off. Usually I just come and sit in quiet, watching those little guys, but.

.. Oh, no, no, don't apologize for being shy. Really, it's okay.

Don't be so hard on yourself. I mean, you kind of just took a walk with me, and you don't really know me. You can't be that shy.

It's the approaching part. Yeah, I get it. I understand that.

It's easy at work, because people have to approach me, you know, but out here, it's definitely a bit more challenging. But, you know, it's okay to not talk, too. Well, like, say tomorrow.

I work at the same time, and I always take my first break around this time, and I'll come here. So, if you want to meet me tomorrow, we can be here and just not really talk. Unless you want to.

Yeah, we can just be together, quietly. You can read if you want, or if you feel like chatting, you can maybe tell me what that favorite book of yours is about. Hmm, you look like you're pondering.

There's no pressure, okay? If you show up, great. And if you don't, that's okay, too.

I'll just see you in the cafe. Consider it an open invitation, okay?