A Second Glance
By Monica Kleinertz

The bells on the door jingled announcing my arrival at the "Witches Brew" on Long Island. I've always wanted to come here but between work and school and work and work, I could never find the time. Nor the sound of the bells or the blast of chilly air seemed to disrupt anyone. I could inconspicuously look around, while the young girl behind the counter handed me my hot cappuccino. She was cute, all dressed in black, with matching black fingernails - black hair and a silver ring wrapped around her bottom lip. I was a little envious - lately my fashion ensemble consisted of jeans, an old sweatshirt and my curly blonde hair all tugged back in a ponytail. I was probably only a couple of years older than her, too. After exchanging smiles, I found a spot along the wall where the heavy red drapes hung all the way to the floor. The candles on the tables were all different sizes and shapes. As a matter of fact, all the tables and chairs were different from one another. Some red velvet couches, glass garden furniture as tables, wooden chairs,É It was cozy and light enough to allow my neighbor to read her book. I guess this is what a witches den would look like - wonder if there were any real witches in here. But looking around I doubted it. Not that I would know, but take for instance the girl with the nose job sitting with her two friends. She was explaining to them how disgusted she was by the service she received, while she was on vacation in Spain. And yes, she actually was appalled that no one spoke English. The nerve of those Spaniards! Now I don't know, but just from reading books and watching TV, witches don't usually tend to be caddy or have bad nose jobs.
The taste and the warmth of the cappuccino were so relaxing. It warmed me all up inside. I slid off my coat and placed it on the chair next to me. Not realizing the heaviness caused the chair to go backwards and fell swooshing right behind Buffy. She in return gave me an annoyed look and just kept right on telling her friends how the food on the plane was atrocious.
I grabbed the chair back up and as I backed into my seat again I bumped into the table and half of my cappuccino spilt over. This was not exactly turning into a nice relaxing coffee break. Sipping what was left of my cappuccino I rested against my chair and looked on the other side of the room. Until then I hadn't noticed the couple in the corner, sitting on the red velvet couch. For a second my heart stopped. My mouth dropped open. It looked like my recent ex-boyfriend of three years. But it wasn't him - thank God - I could exhale, but I think I was in minor shock. The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow and the tears swelled up in my eyes.
I am going insane. How could it be that five minutes ago I was so happy and now all I wanted to do was go home and cry. I grabbed my coat and made sure I didn't disturb Buffy or Biffy or whatever she was, on the way out. I was exhausted and wanted to get out of there. Buttoning my coat by the door I could see the rain pouring down ÉGreat! - just what I needed. I clenched my pocket book under my arm and as I reached for the door I felt a hand on my arm holding me back. There stood the girl from the counter. She was holding a styro foam take-out cup in her hand.
"Here, I want you to try our House Specialty Blend. I think you'll like it and I think you need it." She laughed. "Things aren't always what they seem." She winked at me and headed towards the register. I smiled and stepped outside. That was so sweet of her. I was almost embarrassed by her thoughtfulness. I sipped the fragrant new flavor and let the warm concoction run down my throat and take over my senses. Mmmm Éit tasted heavenly.
Still smiling, I glanced through the window so I could hopefully wave a "thank you" to the girl, but she was helping another customer.
At that moment, I happened to see Biffy get up and bump the table with her knee - the coffee spilt all over her seemingly expensive jeans. Her eyes were immense - she looked furious!
I glanced back to the girl behind the counter and she winked at me. Holding my cup I started to walk down the street but stopped abruptly. I looked to the sky. It wasn't raining. The sun was shining and there wasn't a puddle in sight.