The Truth About Gravity: Chapter Two

“Well, hello, Janice,” Betty said, bringing a large pot of

coffee over to her table. “Can I get you anything today, or did you just come

to get some peace and quiet?”

“I’m fine,” Janice said, holding up her full coffee cup as

she looked up at the other woman. Betty was decked out in her usual black apron

and worn jeans, and had a genuine smile displayed across her lips.

“Well, let me know if you need anything,” the other woman

said, waving as she walked off to attend the other tables on the patio.

“I will,” Janice said, forcing a smile. She liked Betty. The

woman was one of the few that she had met in her life that actually cared about

others. In fact, Betty was part of the reason that she frequented this

particular café. Though the coffee was good, and the atmosphere was peaceful,

Betty’s good service and attentiveness was greatly appreciated. Janice knew

that if she wanted to be left alone that Betty would give her space.

It was also one of the few places that she had enjoyed with

her late wife. Cheryl loved to come to Aruba Beans on Sunday afternoons, and

Betty always remembered how she took her coffee. For hours, the two of them

would kick back on the patio, enjoying the warm sun and conversation while they

watched the people in the city meander around. Janice missed those moments.

Though they did not seem large at the time, they were cherished in her heart,

and she wished that she could have just one more day with Cheryl by her side.

For the longest time, she wondered if she could have done

something…anything to keep Cheryl in her life. Maybe, if she had just suggested

that her wife go to the doctor more often, she would still be here. They could

have changed their diets. They could have exercised more. The thoughts of all

of the things that they could have done drove her nuts. Nevertheless, Janice’s

counselor told her that it was not her fault, and no matter what she had done

differently, the results may have remained the same.

Janice wiped the tears that were threatening her eyes and

tried to focus on something more comforting. The weather was warm, and the flowers

that were growing on the side of the coffee shop had just began to bloom. As

the wind kicked up, Janice could smell the fragrance omitted by the blooms and

she tried to focus on that. Sometimes the only way that she could keep going

was to focus on the little things that made her happy…a sunny day or a walk in the

park. If she concentrated too hard on the larger things in life, she just felt

empty.

Janice was just about to take a sip from her beverage when

she felt something hard hit her chair. She jerked around, finding herself face

to face with a handsome middle-aged man. “You hit my chair,” she noted, looking

up at the man’s face and wondering if he would offer some sort of apology, but

as she examined him closer, she realized there was a familiarity about him. “John?”

she asked, looking the man over.

“Janice?” the man said, walking around to the front of the

table. “It’s been a long time. How have you been doing?”

“I’ve been good,” she said to her friend. It had been

several years since they had spent time together. In fact, if she remembered

right, the last time that she had seen him was at her wedding. “How are you?”

“I’m great,” John said, signaling towards the door to the

coffee shop. “I’m married now. My husband is actually in there getting coffee

right now. How is Cheryl?”

“Cheryl is…Well, Cheryl actually passed away a few years

back,” she said. Now she remembered why she had not attempted to reconnect with

friends.

“I’m sorry about that,” John said. “Do you mind if I take a

seat? It’s been so long.”

“I don’t mind,” Janice said, kicking herself. She had not prepared

herself for awkward conversation, and though she liked John, he had been one of

the acquaintances that she used to party with. He had never been much for serious

conversation.

“Here, honey,” a sandy-haired man said as he walked towards

John and handed him a beverage. “Hello,” he said, looking at Janice. “Is my

husband bothering you, hun? I am sorry if he is. He is just rather friendly. I

can certainly escort him to another table.”

“No, he’s fine,” Janice laughed. She could not remember the

last time that she had truly laughed. It felt good. “John and I actually go way

back,” she explained. “We used to go to the clubs together almost every weekend.

I never thought of him as the type to settle down.”

“Well, things change,” John replied with a smile. “And

sometimes the things that change in your life are more important than the

things that you used to do.” John looked at his husband as the other man took a

seat next to him.

“I can see that,” she said, suddenly feeling better about

the conversation. She could feel the love between the two men, and just being

in their company made her feel less lonely. It was odd how another couple could

invoke feelings that were so strong. She suddenly did not feel sadness. She

felt happiness for the two of them, and she wanted to know everything about how

they met. This feeling inspired her. It made her think that her sister might be

right. Maybe there was more of life for her to explore. Maybe it would be good

for her to make friends and go out once in a while. It was nice to feel the

happiness that radiated off others, and maybe it was time for her to find her

own happiness too.