The Small Café

Noah liked the small café on the corner because nobody rushed him there. Every Friday, he ordered coffee, sat near the plants, and drew buildings in a black notebook.

One Friday afternoon, he left the café with his coat over one arm and his bag on his shoulder. At the bus stop, he reached for the notebook because he wanted to finish a drawing. It was not in the bag.

Noah returned to the café quickly. The barista recognized him and asked, “The black notebook?” Noah nodded. She walked to the table near the plants, but the notebook was not on the table.

Then she checked the chair. The notebook had slipped between the cushion and the wooden side. A blue pen was still inside, marking the page with the unfinished drawing.

Noah thanked her and smiled at the drawing. The barista smiled. “You can come back to finish the drawing next Friday,” she said.