Café Highway was at the side of an endless road, in the middle of nowhere. It was owned by an old couple named Steve and Laura. There was only one customer inside – a young man named Jake. He sat next to the large window, sipped coffee, watched torrential rain beat down heavily and create large pools of water outside the café.

Laura brought Jake the bill. Jake paid for it while looking outside the window the whole time, lost in thought.

Laura: “You should stay here for a while, boy. Doesn’t look like this rain is going to clear anytime soon.”

Just then a car came screeching to a halt in front of the café. A young woman jumped out and ran towards the entrance. Steve ran from behind the counter to open the door. Marie ran in and Steve shut the door hurriedly behind her.

Marie: “That was close! I think I left the window open!”

Steve:  “Let’s hope your car doesn’t sink. Would you like a coffee?”

Marie nodded, still looking out at her car. She turned and noticed Jake for the first time.

Jake: “Hi, I am Jake.”

Marie: “Hi. Marie.”

Jake: “Nice car.”

Marie: “Let’s hope it stays that way after the rain has cleared. At least I got inside without getting drenched.”

Jake: “Yeah. Laura, I’ll have a coffee too. Looks like I don’t have a choice but to wait for the rain to clear.”

Marie joined Jake at the table as Laura brought out two cups of coffee.

Marie: “Is your car out there too?”

Jake: “No, I am hitching.”

Marie: “Oh.”

Marie and Jake spoke generally while sipping their coffee. They laughed a lot and time passed by quickly. Before long the rains also cleared.

 Marie: “Where are you headed?”

Jake: “Wherever I want. I decided that I didn’t want to spend my life behind a desk. So I sold the house I inherited from my father and began travelling. Just my camera and me. I wanted to see life.

Marie: “I wish I was seeing life. I was heading to a meeting. If only I had not re-scheduled it, I would have been sitting in my office.”

Jake: “But here we are.”

Marie: “Yes..here we are.”

A few minutes passed and Marie looked out to see that the rain has passed. She got up and headed to the door. Steve and Laura also came out from the kitchen and followed Marie and Jake outside.

Marie went to her car and examined it. An open window had allowed a lot of water inside – the interior was completely wet. After Jake and Steve helped her clean it up a bit, she got in and tried the ignition. Fortunately, the car came to life on the fourth try.

Marie looked at Jake.

Marie: “Can I give you a ride?”

Jake: “Which way you going?”

Marie pointed up the road. Jake shook his head and pointed in the opposite direction.

Jake: “I am headed that way.”

Marie: “Oh well. I suppose we both know that…”

Jake: “Fairy tales don’t happen?”

Marie: “Yeah. It was nice meeting you. But a cup of coffee in a café during a rain storm, it’s not real.

Jake smiled sadly.

Jake: “Good luck with the meeting.”

Marie: “Have fun travelling.”

Jake: “Thanks.”

With that Marie drove off without looking back.

Laura: “Why didn’t you go with her?”

Steve: “Laura, it’s none of our…

Jake: “It’s alright. Marie was right. It was nice..but you can’t base your life on a cup of coffee.

Laura: “Why not?”

Jake turned around and headed into the café without replying. He picked up his backpack and left.

As he walked along the road he heard the sound of a car behind him. He turned and put his thumb out to hitch a ride. He stopped and watched as the car drew up alongside him. The passenger side door was pushed open and Jake looking inside -

Marie: “Going my way?”

Jake smiled and got in.