Coffee, Tea, and Sunsets

The view from the café was incredible. It stood on a cliff in Taryn, a French tourist city somewhere on the coast. A warm summer's breeze blew in off the ocean with the sweet smell of sea salt. The sun had just begun its extra long descent into the water. The beaches below were practically empty except for the occasional couple walking together. Flint loved it here. He had been coming here for the past month, every time he was in a cold or low mood. If the coffee didn't warm you, then the place would. Not to mention the people. The man behind the counter was Jean, the owner of the café, and he could make the best coffee and cappuccino in all the land. He was also good for entertainment, as Flint like to watch him with the ladies. Every woman that walked into this place seemed to walk away with Jean's number and it amazed Flint every time. But when he thought about it, it made sense. He's a thirty-year-old romantic Italian who drives a Porshe. He was also slick with everyone else around. If you were in his café for long enough, usually the time it took to buy a coffee, he could tell you your likes and dislikes, practically give you your shoe size. He was definitely what Flint called a people person. Then there was Maria, the waitress. A Spanish girl in her twenties, with a body that seemed to raise every guy's head when she walked in the room. She was too old for Flint, an 18- year-old American high school kid. Flint wouldn't mind a woman like Maria, but the ladies weren't what he came for. It was the peace and quiet of this five-table café. A place to write poetry, talk to the locals, and escape from the every day. Flint continued to watch the sun set, changing the sky as if someone had stretched a rainbow across it. The sounds of the waves below crashing on the beach and the seagulls soaring above perfected the moment. The sound of voices slowly interrupted the moment. Flint turned to see a group of girls enter the café, all about his age. Each was carrying a small bag and purse. They looked like a typical group of tourists just finishing a day of shopping down in the ocean- side stores. As they rambled on, all the girls grabbed a table in the corner, except for one them. She was leaning on the counter making the order for her friends. She was a gorgeous blonde, with hair that ended just at the shoulder of the light blue baby T-shirt. Her top cut off just above her slim waist and jean shorts. Flint felt himself staring but couldn't stop. As his gaze travelled to her face, he caught her eyes and there for a moment he felt something. Caught in her beautiful violet eyes, he felt as if he had met her before. She turned away with a smile. He did the same, going back to his coffee and sunset. Out of the corner of his eye he watched her walk smoothly back to her friends at the table. He picked up his mug and drank his coffee, watching over the rim. He trying to hide his eyes as he turned to glance at the table of girls. The girl had sat so that she was facing away from Flint, but as she turned her head, she caught his eyes again. Flint turned back to his table and suddenly realized he was trying to drink from an empty cup. He got up and walked up to the counter, watching the group of girls out of the corner of his eye the whole time. "So how's business around here, Jean?" Flint asked the café owner as he handed him his coffee cup. "The usual. People come. People go. But you remember that English girl that was in town for modelling?" Jean looked over at Flint to make sure he still had his attention. Flint, who was looking at the pastry, looked up and nodded to his friend in reply. "Well, she was in here yesterday just after you left. She wanted to say goodbye before she headed back to home." "Sarah was looking for me?" Flint was surprised. He had talked with her for a few hours two days before. She had just been passing through the town and stopped for a cappuccino. After talking with Flint, someone she had just met, he thought that was the last time she would be here. She must have liked this place or him more than he thought. "I think she was in town for one more night looking for some company, hey monsieurs?" Jean nudged Flint, as he did most of the time when a girl showed some interest in him. "I told you, Jean, I'm not looking for that sort of stuff right now." Flint said with Jean echoing his exact words. "You say that a lot you know?" Flint chuckles and took a sip from his coffee. "Plus, she was too old for me. If my dad ever found out about that, you could kiss my trips here goodbye." "Well if she was too old for you, then that..." Jean motioned to the group behind him. "...should be right for you." Flint turned just in time to catch the eyes of that one girl again. "Yeah, that would be nice. But Jean you know the story, I already have my eye on someone at school." "That girl, Navia, you keep talking about?" Jean asked with a curious look on his face. Flint knew that look. "I know I don't stand a chance, but a man can't give up hope." Flint glanced over he shoulder and motioned for the usual sugar and cream. "The one is the blue is kind of cute. I never seen her around before. Think she'd care much for poetry?" "She's never been here before, so it's hard to say." Jean replied with a smile. He saw the disappointment on Flint's face. "You keep telling me you're not the type to be getting a local girl, but every time they walk in here..." "I'm only interested in talking. Sharing a few stories, you know inspiration." Flint motioned to his story and poetry book he always carried with him. "Well, the one that ordered was asking about you." "Really?" Flint almost squeaked with excitement in his voice. Then catching himself again. "I mean if she's interested in just talking." Jean gave him smile and a nod. "In that case, tell her I'll be on the patio outside." Flint picked up his coffee and walked through the arched door to the balcony. Out on the balcony there were three tables, all were empty. Flint chose one on the outer corner. He sat with his back to the doorway and stared out into the magnificent sea below. The sun was almost set, there was a light breeze and the air still smelled sweet of the sea. There was just one more thing that could make it perfect. "Excuse me, can I join you?" The young female voice came from behind. Yes! Flint wanted to yell out. He turned and there was the young lady from inside. She looked tall standing beside him, but when he motioned to the seat across from him, he saw she was just shorter than him. Now where to start? thought Flint as he stared across at this little piece of heaven he had just been blessed with. "Jean tells me you like to talk." She beat him to the first words. "My name is Juliet." Flint took her hand and gave it a kiss. "Believe me when I say that the pleasure is entirely mine. My name is Flint, but I would prefer it if you called me yours." "These are strong words for someone who just talks." Juliet replied accepting his affection. "Are you from Taryn? From what Jean called you, what was it now, Blackrose, I take it you are a regular around here." "Actually, I'm American, but I do come here often enough to be called a regular. So can I get you anything? A coffee? Perhaps a café au lait?" "I'm not much into those coffees. How about a cup of tea?" Flint leaned back, so he could see Jean through the door way. When he saw he was watching, Flint waved two fingers and Jean nodded. "Something you do with all the ladies?" Juliet asked Flint as he turned back to face her. "Just two of the best cups of tea this side of the Atlantic. Trust me I don't come here for fast action. I prefer just to lean back and enjoy the view. It's my greatest inspiration." Flint motioned to the beautiful landscape around them with his hand stopping as it motioned to Juliet. "So are you enjoying the view tonight?" the angel asked. "Oh, very much so." Flint said with a wink. "So what is one of heavens angels doing so far from home?" "Cute, but I live in the Beaches of Taryn. I was out shopping with my friends. I don't normally come out this way, but I think I'm glad I did." She said raising an eyebrow. "You think?" Flint asked curiously. "Because if you're not sure, I must not be trying hard enough." They shared a laugh. Flint looked out at the ocean and the sunset then back to Juliet. It all seemed so perfect, so pure, so real. Flint was also surprised by what he had just said. This was so unlike him to talk to a girl like that. Sure there had been a few times when he had invited a girl to sit with him and talk. Most of the time they would end up just talking about life, but nothing like this. He was like the hopeless romantic, with all this poetic wording, but the crazy thing was he was loving it and so was Juliet from what he could tell. It was then that he realized he was still holding her hand. He felt her warmth and her delicate touch. Was she the girl he had always been searching for, the perfect one? "Why do you stare at me with such passion?" Juliet asked as she looked back into his eyes. "It's as if you have never seen a girl before." "My sweet Juliet. If you are, as you say, just a girl, then yes it is my first time seeing one. For I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you." Flint replied in an English tongue. He had been quit good at picking up other accents and it still showed. "So if you live not far away then why do you grace this place with your presence but once?" "My parents are very strict, that is they don't like me being out alone. What about your parents? Are they the same way? I take it they aren't if you come here often." Juliet asked as her tone dropped as she was reminded of her life. "You'd be surprised. They let me come here as a reward for not wondering off anyplace else. Like my friend from school, he's always out at parties, trying crazy things, and finding women to take home. My parent figure as long as I'm not out doing stuff like that, they'll leave me be. Keeps them happy." Flint responded just as the two cups of tea were brought out by Maria."There we have it, two cups of ‘Blackrose Tea'. Thank you, Maria." Flint gave her a wink as she left them alone again. "Is this where you got your name?" Juliet asked as she tried the tea. "Actually, the tea is named after me. It is a long story" "Oh, would you please tell me?" Juliet asked enthusiastically. "I love to hear stories. I mean, if you wouldn't mind entertaining a young bored angel." "What about your friends? Aren't they going to get bored drinking coffee?" "Don't worry about them. I told them I would see them later, they have most likely left by now. So you were about to tell me how you got the name Blackrose." She said as she moved to the seat beside him. The two talked for quite sometime after sunset. Flint explained how he had found this place one day when he was looking for a place to write poetry. Since he always signed his poetry ‘Blackrose,' Jean decided to renamed Flint's favourite tea after him, seeing as he was one of the few who drank it. Juliet explained how she was living with her parents, but spent most of her time at her sister's house in the northern part of the city. Juliet was an amazing person. Flint was surprised because he didn't expect to find someone like her here. Flint and Juliet had so much in common that they ended up talking most of the evening. A few hours later, after finishing their tea, the two found themselves in the hammock Jean had hung on one side of the balcony, staring up at the stars. Flint heard a beeping on his watch and realized it was time to go. He leaned over and gave Juliet a kiss on the cheek. She turned back and gave him a reply on the lips. It totally caught Flint off guard. He almost rolled out of the hammock but regained his balance and his senses. The kiss lasted for what seemed like an forever. It was just the two of them, the stars, and passion on the lips. When it was over Flint led Juliet to the door of the café. Jean had already left, as he sometimes did. Flint locked the door to the quiet café behind them and taking Juliet's arm, walked down the cobble stone street. After a quick walk through the northern city, they reached an old style apartment above a bakery. "This is my sister's place, I would invite you in, but she would be sure to tell my parents. I'll meet you at the café tomorrow. So until tomorrow?" Juliet gave him one last long kiss and went inside. "Until tomorrow." Flint whispered as the door slowly shut. Flint was left standing there in pure disbelief. Had he just found the perfect girl? She was gorgeous and a great listener. He didn't have any trouble talking to here. They had talked about so many things and seeing as Juliet was majoring in writing, they exchanged stories and poems. She was intelligent and just as good looking as Navia at school. "School... right." Flint mumbled to himself as the thought trailed off. Reality suddenly kicked in again as he remember. He walked up the street just a few blocks away from where Juliet was. Yes, Flint. You have just met the girl of your dreams, Flint thought to himself. A completely synthetic, computer generated perfect girl in a Hologrid. How to explain this one to the guys? "Computer, Door!" The computer recognized the command and the hologram of the street disappeared to reveal the door to reality. With a hiss the air tight doors opened to show the living room of Flint's house. He walked through and the doors hissed as they sealed behind him. "Save active program number 21 and let run in memory." Flint instructed the computer as he walked to the kitchen to grab a snack before going to sleep. The Hologrid shut down, except for the memory, where the people of Taryn, including Juliet, Jean and even Maria would sleep away the night like every other night of their lives. Flint walked into the kitchen and found a note from his mom that said: "Flinton, try not to spend so much time in there. Saved you some dinner in the fridge. See you tomorrow. Luv Mum." Flint looked at his watch. Eleven o'clock at night and there was another day of school tomorrow, but he would definitely have something new to tell his best friend. And tomorrow, there would be another night of coffee, tea and sunsets. Status: Complete Total Pages: 15 Total Word Count: 8794 Creation Date: 1/17/97 Outline: As the sun set in the city of Taryn, Flint, a young American highschool student, finds himself in a good mood and good company. What more could you ask for to end a long day? Perhaps someone to share it with? She may be beautiful, smart, and charming, but Flint will discover it is not always good to fall for fiction. Future Plans: I started this story when I was 17, and much has changed in the way I write and the way I see the world. But rather then continuing to change this story I decided to rewrite it. The new version simply titled Taryn (working title), explores more of the city and the protagonist relation to it. Not much has changed inside the world of Taryn, but beyond it I have made the main character older and working as appose to going to school.