The cafe nestled along a forgotten stretch of road. Inside, the warm light spilled onto the worn wooden tables, creating a cozy haven from the bustling world outside.

David sat at one such table, a stack of essays spread before him, the papers crumpled from countless readings. He savored the hot, aromatic coffee, taking a sip while marking errors with red ink.

The sound of a bell jingled overhead, a cheerful announcement that drew his gaze upward.

Robert had stepped in, his figure framed by the door, a small smile playing on his lips as he spotted David. He waved, the gesture warm and familiar.

“You’re early,” David remarked, gesturing for Robert to join him at the empty chair beside him.

Robert replied, “Not much happening currently,” settling into his seat with ease.

“Would you like some coffee?” David asked.

“Sure. Black,” Robert answered, tilting his head, a subtle sign of his appreciation for the simplicity.

David signaled to the barista, who moved with practiced ease, bustling behind the counter to prepare the drink with care.

“It’s nice here,” Robert said, taking in the friendly atmosphere, the low hum of conversation, and the faint scent of baked pastries.

“Yeah, I find myself here sometimes to escape or grade some papers.” David paused, placing his pen down and fixing his gaze on Robert. “It’s a pleasant spot for that.”

You teachers. Always working.

“Guilty as charged,” David chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “It’s nice to just sit and watch the world go by,” he mused. He observed the cafe’s patrons, each absorbed in their own narratives.

“My wife used to drag me to places like this. Used to tell me to slow down and see the beauty in the ordinary.” Robert’s voice softened.

“And what about now?” David inquired, curiosity glimmering in his eyes.

“Now, I think she was right,” Robert replied, sincerity threading through his voice.

“It’s never too late, you know,” David remarked, lifting his cup of coffee once more. “To see it.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Robert mused.

The waitress approached with a fresh cup of coffee, steaming in the cool air of the cafe.

David leaned in, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “So tell me, Robert, what things interest you?”

Robert opened his mouth, but the silence that filled the space between them lingered for a heartbeat too long.

“You know,” David broke the silence, a reflective smile creeping onto his face, “when I was a child, I didn’t have many friends.” He paused, his gaze drifting to the table before returning to Robert. “I was kind of introverted. I spent most of my days reading books.”

“They helped me understand the world, people, things, or-” He stopped. “At least, I thought they did.”

“People?” Robert echoed the thought.

“Yeah, people!” David smiled.

“Do you really think books do that? Help you understand people?” Robert asked, genuine curiosity etched on his face.

David took a sip of his coffee, the warmth spreading through his fingers as he considered his words. “Yeah. I mean- that’s why I stuck with literature,” he replied, a hint of uncertainty coloring his tone.

“It sounds pretentious when I say it out loud,” he added, glancing down at the dark liquid in his cup.

Robert took another sip of his coffee, and as he set the cup down, he nodded thoughtfully. “No, I get it,” he said.

David leaned forward; the subject clearly enthralled him. “I don’t know. You spend enough time in someone else’s head, eventually things make sense.”

“What about you, then? What does that do for you?” David asked, studying Robert’s face.

“For me?” Robert asked, pausing briefly.

“Yeah.”

“Movies, I guess. And shows and such..”

David’s expression shifted to one of confusion yet intrigue. “Movies?”

“Yeah. I know that sounds dumb.”

“No, not really.”

“They just-“ Robert hesitated for a moment. “You notice how people react to things. What scares them, what they choose to ignore, tells a lot about someone.”

David looks at Robert for a moment.

“Or something like that, I guess,” Robert added.

“So what were you working on?” he asked.

“Oh. Just grading. I had my students write something about free verse poetry.” David replied.

“Free verse?” Robert inquired, genuinely interested.

“Yeah. I like it because they don’t have to explain themselves. They can dodge things a little.” David explained.

“Isn’t that kind of the point of poetry?” Robert countered.

“Exactly,” David agreed, nodding as he glanced at the paper he was grading. He picked it up and placed it with the others, his brow slightly furrowed in thought. “Oh, this reminds me. An old colleague of mine once wrote this piece. It was about authority, how people invent it and then blame it. I thought it was really interesting.”

“What happened to it?” Robert asked.

Lowering his voice, “Got taken down,” David said.

“What a shame,” Robert said, though there was an edge of insincerity in his tone.

“Yeah,” David replied, taking another sip.

They fell into a silence until David glanced out the window, noticing the sun had dipped low in the sky. “Look at that, it’s already afternoon,” he remarked.

Robert turned in his seat to look outside. “Ah, yes, we should head out then.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” David had already stood up, gathering his things.

As they stepped outside, the city glowed in hues of gold and amber, the fading sunlight casting a warm blanket over everything. They walked together in silence for a while until they reached the park.

“Thanks for this. I don’t usually do things like this,” Robert said, breaking the quiet.

“Neither do I. But I’m glad we did.” David admitted with a smile.

“Me too,” Robert replied, a hint of relief in his voice.

For a moment, they stood in silence, exchanging glances.

Robert opened his mouth, intent on saying something, but paused.

“I should get going,” he finally said, offering a small smile.

David watched as Robert turned to leave, his footsteps crunching softly against the gravel path. Before disappearing, Robert turned back one last time, their eyes meeting. He offered a gentle smile. “Thanks, David, for listening.”

“Anytime,” David said, feeling a promise in his words, a vow he hadn’t made to many people before.