The Handsome One sat at his table, looking at the small white feather in his palm, frowning as he tried to remember something. He knew for certain that She would arrive soon — the one who would add a hefty sum to his savings. She was already ready to continue her life with him, and he was ready to share her fortune and… leave. Leave, taking the share of their combined wealth that legally belonged to him. Block her number, her account, and start a new story. His own — unlike his former life, full of adventures, humiliations, and uncertainty. From now on, he would be the one choosing with whom, when, and where to spend his time; to whom he would give love and happiness, with whom he would chase adventures, and with whom he would have children.

 

Yes, that was the plan. He had been preparing for this day for a long time, but something was preventing him from focusing on the meeting. Just ten minutes ago, the right phrases, intonations, gestures, and tricks had been lined up clearly in his mind like bowling pins. But an unexpected ball had rolled in from nowhere and knocked everything down. And though the pins were still here, he no longer understood what was supposed to follow what, or why.

 

— Such a draft! First time I’ve ever seen something like this. How am I supposed to fix everything now?

 

He flinched from the sudden voice. He looked at the waitress — bustling around the broken door with a broom and dustpan. Just an ordinary girl, cute, in jeans, a white shirt, and an apron. Her plump cheeks were flushed either from nerves or from work. Her dark hair was pulled back into a firm ponytail, though one unruly strand kept slipping into her eyes. Nearby, an older man in overalls, his face wrinkled, a cigarette clinging to his dry lips, was measuring the shattered glass frame. He grunted, shaking his head:

 

— Well, look at that. Don’t worry. Yesterday I prepared two panes just like this — give me fifteen minutes and it’ll look like new.

 

— As if you knew… you’ve got a sixth sense!

 

— Yeah-aa, the old man drawled and disappeared into the back.

 

And he kept looking at the girl. She finished cleaning and walked behind the bar counter. What was it that suddenly amazed and captivated him in her? He couldn’t explain it. This. This is the one I want to spend my whole life with! All of it — until the very last moment. To hear that voice, to look into those black eyes, to slide his fingers through that smooth hair, to stroke those soft cheeks, to breathe in that scent… Even here, in this small café. Yes. He was ready to stay here right now…

 

— Hi!

 

Soft hands covered his eyes. He flinched again.

 

— Oh! You?! Hi! Great to see you, how are you?

 

A messy stream of awkward greetings poured over her puzzled face. She stared, not understanding what was happening.

 

— What’s wrong with you? Are you all right? It feels like you weren’t expecting me.

 

— I… was expecting you. I… I came here for you, the Handsome One said, stammering and gasping as though after a run. A strange anxiety and restlessness scattered his pin-thoughts completely. He looked at Her, blinking like a student caught by a strict professor with a cheat sheet.

 

She genuinely didn’t understand what was happening to her Handsome One. Where were his confidence, attention, persuasiveness, charm? Why was she looking now at a confused boy instead of her beloved man, protector, and provider — the father of her children?

 

She sat down across from him, studying his face intently. She expected that all her worries would now be lifted by his strong hands. But the man before her looked nothing like a responsible husband.

 

— Hello! Would you like to order something? Maybe… coffee?

 

The cute waitress stood looking at her.

 

— Double espresso, she said calmly, watching the Handsome One gaze at the girl with a mixture of hope — as if for some kind of salvation — and a barely concealed love. The waitress noticed his look, blushed sweetly, touched the tip of her nose with her fingers, giggled, turned around, and went to make the coffee.

 

The Handsome One watched her walk away; She watched him. The coffee machine buzzed. And suddenly he seemed to relax. He turned to Her and, looking into her eyes with sympathy, said:

 

— I can’t.

 

— I don’t understand — what can’t you?

 

— I can’t be with you. You are wonderful; I doubt you have a single flaw. I even dreamed of someone like you as a mother…

 

— A mother?

 

— I’m sorry, I misspoke. No — actually, I didn’t. Yes, I wanted a mother, a protector.

 

— A protector?!

 

— Yes! But now I understand — I will die in your shadow, in your care. I need to build my own life…

 

She lowered her eyes. Her lips trembled. From under her half-closed eyelids rolled big tears. She dabbed them with a handkerchief. Then, after taking several deep breaths, she lifted her gaze to him. It was a look of regret. How? What am I seeing? How could this have gripped me? Gripped me so deeply, like a giant splinter now torn out, leaving my heart throbbing with hot black blood.

 

— Your coffee.

 

— Thank you. How much do I owe you?

 

— Two forty.

 

She leaned back in her chair. Her gaze slid away from his face, lingered on his chest, drifted slowly over his empty cup, his open palm with the white feather, the simple jars of spices on the table. Here is my coffee… She took out a banknote.

 

— Here. Keep the change.

 

She rose slowly and walked out just as slowly, nudging the new clear glass doors, in which the sun, the bar counter with the cute waitress, and the Handsome One were reflected. Everything rippled and vanished. Now only she remained…