Premature responsibilities

Aurora

The sun was just starting to rise when I woke up the next morning, with a persistent knot of worry in my stomach. Today was my second day at the café, and I was determined to prove myself. I carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake Sol, who was still sound asleep.

I went downstairs and found my father still lying on the couch where we had left him the night before. His snores filled the room, a grim reminder of the previous night's chaos. I made a mental note to clean up the empty bottles and mess later, knowing that first I needed to get ready for work.

In the kitchen, I found enough bread and peanut butter to make a simple breakfast for Sol. As I spread the peanut butter on the bread, my mind wandered to the debts that continued to pile up. I needed to find a way to earn more money, and quickly. But for now, I had to focus on keeping my job at the café.

I left a note for Sol, telling him to stay inside and not to open the door for anyone. He was used to these instructions by now, but it still pained me to leave him alone. I kissed his forehead and whispered, "I'll be back soon. Be safe, Sol."

The walk to the café was brisk, and the cool morning air helped clear my mind. I arrived a little early, hoping to impress Carla with my dedication. She greeted me with a warm smile as I walked in.

"Good morning, Aurora. Ready for another day?" she asked.

"Absolutely," I replied, forcing a smile. "Thank you again for this opportunity."

"You're doing very well so far. Keep it up," she encouraged me before showing me the tasks for the day.

As the morning rush began, I found my rhythm in the café. I served coffee, cleared tables, and even managed to make a few customers smile. It felt good to be doing something productive, something that might help improve our situation at home.

Midway through the shift, the man from yesterday walked in again. He had the same book and the same intense look in his eyes. This time, I couldn't help but feel a strange pull toward him. There was something about his presence that was both unsettling and intriguing.

Carla noticed him too and nodded in his direction. "Looks like you already have a regular customer," she said with a wink.

I smiled nervously and approached his table. "Good morning. Can I get you the same as yesterday?"

He looked up from his book, and for a moment, his gaze seemed to penetrate right through me. "Yes, please. And maybe a muffin today."

I nodded and quickly brought his order. As I placed the coffee and muffin on the table, he thanked me with that same quiet intensity.

"Thank you. And your name is Aurora, right?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, a little surprised. "How did you know?"

"I heard Carla mention it yesterday," he said with a slight smile. "I'm Damian."

"Nice to meet you, Damian," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Likewise," he replied, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before returning to his book.

During a break in my shift, I noticed that Damian was still there, but this time he seemed less focused on his book and more attentive to the café's activity. I decided to take the opportunity to try to get to know him better. I grabbed a dish towel and walked over to his table, pretending to clean.

"Do you come here often?" I asked casually, trying to sound nonchalant.

He looked up again, and that penetrating gaze made me shiver slightly. "Yes, I like the atmosphere here. And the coffee is great."

I smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm still getting used to the job, so any feedback is welcome."

Damian tilted his head slightly, as if studying me. "You seem to be doing very well. It's not easy to find someone so dedicated."

His sincere compliment surprised me, and for a moment, I felt myself blush. "Thank you, I'm trying to do my best."

He then paused, his eyes still fixed on mine. "Did you know that sometimes, the solution to our problems comes from where we least expect it?"

I frowned, intrigued. "What do you mean by that?"

Damian smiled enigmatically and stood up, preparing to leave. "Just something for you to think about. See you soon, Aurora."

I watched as he left some notes on the table and walked out of the café, still feeling the weight of his mysterious words.

The rest of the shift passed quickly, but the interaction with Damian stayed on my mind. There was something about him that sparked my curiosity, something I couldn't fully understand.

By the end of the shift, I was exhausted but satisfied with my performance. Carla seemed pleased too.

"You're really getting the hang of this, Aurora. Keep it up, and you'll soon be a permanent part of the team," she said with a smile.

"Thank you, Carla. I appreciate it," I replied, genuinely grateful for her support.

I walked home with a mix of emotions—hopeful about the job but still anxious about the situation at home. When I arrived, I found Sol playing quietly with his toys, just as I had instructed. Our father was still on the couch, now awake but looking miserable.

"Hey, Sol," I said, ruffling his hair. "How was your day?"

"It was good. I'm glad you're back," he said, hugging me tightly.

I hugged him back, feeling the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. I needed to find a way to make things better for both of us.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about Damian. There was something about him that I couldn't understand.