The Coffee Shop Spirit

This is my response to Cams (Chris Mills, flash fiction challenge requiring a coffee shop and a cane

They let Samuel Jones bring his dog, a pure white German Shepherd, into the coffee shop. The dog was a newly acquired guide dog, which had a legal right to go where his master went. The dog's owner directed him to to a table.and then took out a folding, white cane which he used to guide himself to the serving bar of the shop.

“Glad to see you getting around,” the blonde, young woman said.

“You can just call me Sam,” he said.

“Sure Sam. I am glad to see you getting around. And please call me, Kim.”

It's a nice name. Short for Kimberly?”

“Yes, it is. Sam. Anyhow, you seem to get around OK.”

“I've learned to use the cane and the guide dog is patient.

“Kim, is it true what the papers say—that you shop is haunted.”

“We don't know that for sure, Sam. There have been some unusual things going on, mostly since your accident. Like sometimes I'll feel a chill like a door was left open, but there is nothing out of place.”

The reports of the shop being haunted is what brought Sam back, well maybe not the only thing. He wanted to see Kim and thank her for giving aid to an injured man. Or maybe he just wanted to see Kim because she was kind and beautiful. He could see that much, anyhow.

He had been driving a restored vintage Ford Mustang by the Coffee shop When a large SUV went out of control, hit the Mustang just ahead of the driver's front door. He heard that the SUV driver had a heart attack and had died in the impact. His Mustang was pushed into the display window of the Coffee Shop.

The doctors were not able to tell Sam if the blindness was permanent or not but he was sent for training to use a cane and then qualified for a guide dog. The blindness might have been from injuries in the accident, or the trauma of the accident. Kim, the owner and primary server at the shop was quick to help him until an ambulance and the paramedics arrived.

“I came over to see you, Kim, as soon as I could get around on my own. I am really grateful for the help you gave me and sorry for all the damage the accident caused.”

Sam could not see that Kim was blushing. She tried not to be emotional and told him that his insurance more than compensated for the damages to the shop. She was touched that he seemed more concerned about the inconvenience to her than to his being blind and the things he might have to give up, like driving a Mustang.

Kim, I am grateful to be alive and able to do things, like talking to a beautiful woman like you. “

Kim was glad that he could not see her blush. “I appreciate the compliment, Sam, but how do you know if I am beautiful or not. You're blind.” She immediately regretted the reference to his blindness.

“When you were tending my injuries I could still see your beautiful face. I can still see enough to know you are very attractive. Anyhow, Kim thank you for helping me when I'm sure you had worries of your own. I 'm grateful to be alive and that you were here and helped. me.”

It was true that Sam still had some vision. Total blindness is less common than most people think. Still it is an impairment compared to normal persons' vision. Sam sat down and soon was aware of a young blond woman coming his way. “Did you bring the coffee, Kim?”

“I'm not Kim,” she said and sat down beside him.

“Who are you?'

“My name is Sharon.”

“Nice to meet you, Sharon.”

“I like your dog. May I pet him/”

“I'll let him know it's OK.”

While Sharon hunkered down down by the dog, Kim cam over with two cups of Espresso.”

“Kim, do you want to meet Sharon?”

“Who's Sharon?”

“I think she might be your ghost. She is over here, petting my guide dog.”

“I don't see anyone Sam. Who is she?”

“It's only a guess but I think she was in the truck that hit me.”

“Should I get more coffee?”

“Sharon,” Sam said “would you like to have coffee with Kim and me?”

Sharon nodded and sat next to Sam. Kim set the cups by Sharon and Sam. “I'll get another cup,” Kim said.

“Can Kim see me, Sam? I think you can.”

“We'll find out when she gets back. Did you die in the crash Sharon?”

“I guess I must have. I was thrown against the dashboard and the door flew open, My seat belt got undone and I half-fell and sort of stumbled from the cab.”

Kim came back with another coffee. “Is this your friend Sharon, Sam?” Kim smiled at Sharon.

“Can you see her, Kim?” Sam asked.

“Yes, in a rather hazy way.”

“I think I'm ready to leave now,” Sharon said. “Thanks for letting me talk to your dog. And Sam, will you feel my face with your fingers. I would like you to remember me apart from getting hurt in an accident. Will you remember me in a good way.”

Sam put his cane on the table, gave Sharon a light hug and with his fingers he memorized her facial features. “Farewell Sharon, rest in peace.”

Sharon smiled at Kim and said, “I think he loves you.”I'm ready to go now. Have a joyful life.”

When Sharon had left, Sam said “Kim, will you go out to dinner with me?”

“I'd like that. When?”

“How about when you close shop for the day?”

“I like that too. Do you think Sharon was here to help us get together?”

“I like that idea, we'll be back,” Sam said, slipped his cane into its holder and called his Dog.