October
The full coffee shop smelled sweet, like pumpkin spice … Fake spider webs in the corners – adorned with black widows, Dark skies, crescent moon, a cool breeze, chilly … yet nice … At a distance, heat lightning flickered outside the windows. He purchased a latte, paid with cash … Picked it up … in his right hand, A clink of the mug … uh oh, a clash! On its way down … where would it land? Oh no! … don’t break! He thought as it fell, Embarrassed, a prayer, for goodness sake, A story to tell … Like a lightning bolt, a stranger reached out … A moment from the floor, Nonchalant … with both hands, it balanced about … A small splash, nothing more … He thanked the stranger, then wiped up the splash … "No problem," she said … "safe and sound." Then he turned around … to throw away the trash … Upon turning back – she was nowhere to be found. Thunder rolled in the distance, He glanced all around, Awe-struck, he continued on his way, He was October -bound. October opened last year… Fall offerings year-round, a foodies' delight, Fresh candy, sweet treats, moments of fear… A restaurant only open in the dead of night. Two miles up the road, Off course, of course, He had a hand-drawn map, But nothing more. A dirt road, turned gravel, Must be around the bend … Light in the distance, A beginning, or an end? On a hilltop, eight windows – it looked like a house, Approaching October , he didn’t hide, (He jumped – a mouse!) Candlelight adorned the inside. A living room with a bar, A chandelier so chic, Old wooden tables ... A sign on the wall – ‘Hide or Seek.’ He turned a corner, Old Fashioned in hand, A silhouette, familiar … the stranger … Aglow from the candle stand … Stars behind her, a sign on the wall – ‘Beware of Danger ’
