New in Town

Ruby had only arrived in the town two weeks earlier, and she still did not know anybody. On Monday morning she walked into a small café near the station, hoping for a quiet coffee before work. The waitress, Rosa, smiled at her. “Hello! Do you like coffee?”

“Yes, I do,” Ruby said. “Do you want milk?” “No, thank you.” Rosa brought a cup and set it on a table by the window. She seemed in no hurry. “Does your family live here?” she asked. “No, they live in Turkey,” Ruby answered, and for a moment she looked away.

“Do you work near here?” Rosa asked. “Yes, I do. I work at the library.” “Does the library open at nine?” “Yes, it does,” said Ruby. “Do you read books, Rosa?” “Yes, I do. I read at night, when the café is closed.”

A man at the next table, who had been listening over his newspaper, asked Rosa, “Does she know the town?” Rosa laughed. “I don’t think so. Do you want a map, Ruby?” “Yes, please!” Ruby said, feeling a little less like a stranger.

Now it was Ruby’s turn to ask a question. “Do you know a good bakery?” Rosa laughed again. “Yes, I do. It is next door.” Ruby finished her coffee, thanked them both and went out into the street, already planning to come back.