The Beginning

The way her hair danced in the wind as she was on her walk to work would make any man or woman stop and stare. It may be short, but that didn't mean that it wasn't beautiful. One would say she looked like a model, which in a way they would be correct. Maria had always wanted to be an actress in a major film, but the most work she could get was occasionally getting very small roles in one of the many small local theaters. She had moved from New Orleans to New York City, a big city for a big city. It was almost laughable with the way she traded a decent life for one of a struggling actress.

It was quite interesting how her parents reacted once they heard that their little girl would be moving so far from them. Her mom was excited for her, but definitely wanted her to stay and help out at the small HooDoo shop that they owned. Her father on the other hand was almost totally against it. Well what sane parent would be willing to let their oldest go to a place so far away? But it wasn't like she wouldn't ever be able to come back for a visit for a few days, her boss was very forgiving of the young girl. Being only 22, away from her family must be hard on the young lady, but she'd never show it. She was there to make her dreams come true. Make something of her family's name.

As soon as she got to Cafe Du Monde, a small cafe that sold some Louisiana staples, such as beignets and other sweets as well as the usual coffees, teas, and specialty drinks, she clocked in and took her usual position behind the register. A warm smile from her boss Miss. Mama, as she liked to be called since it made her feel young again.

Miss. Mama was a 65-year-old woman with her hair somehow already starting to turn white with some strips or her natural fiery red hair still showing some. Her blue eyes were like ice and her pale skin like ivory were also starting to wrinkle. Maria always looked up to the woman. It was quite comforting to have someone near where she lived to be like a mother figure to her when she wasn't able to go and visit her family.

Since it was a normal Tuesday morning, Maria wasn't expecting to have a very busy day. Especially since it sometimes didn't get busy until around lunch time when the afternoon caffeine crash would hit. She had a few regular customers who she knew by name. For instance Marsha, she would always get a large iced white chocolate mocha with two pumps of caramel, almond milk and whipped cream. Then there was Josh, he'd get a basic London Fog latte with violet syrup and almond milk, two blueberry scones and a cake pop for his daughter.

But, there was this one customer who would constantly come in and order a large iced Americano. Nothing else, just that. He came in like clock-work every day; and everyday he'd sit at the same table. Just sitting and watching her. Something about him seemed off, but she could never put her finger on it. The way that he would watch her made her seem self-conscious. Not afraid or creeped out like all of the other men did when she would walk from her apartment to work each day.

A few hours after she began working, she turned her head to look at the clock hanging on the wall. The red neon numbers read 11:30am. "Any minute now." Maria thought out loud to herself as she wiped down the counters over by the register and the dessert case. She always wondered how many fingerprints could get on the glass even when there wasn't anyone touching it throughout the day. The sound of the small bell on the front door rang, indicating that someone had just come in. She could tell by the smell of amber and sage who it was. The only regular she had that she never knew the name of.

He was always a mystery when he came. Always said very few words, but always greeted her. Sometimes with a tired smile, other times with not so much as a glance. But with the way he had determination in his eyes today, Maria just knew that he was a man with a mission. She had noticed there was something in his hand as he held open the door for a customer leaving. At first it was hard for her to see what it was, but as he came closer to the front counter, she could tell that it was a business card.

"Good morning, sir. The usual I presume?" Maria asked, getting ready to ring him up. The man grunted in acknowledgment with a quick nod. Already with his card in his hand, he waited patiently as she wrung up his drink.

As soon as he paid she quickly began making his drink. He cleared his throat to get her attention, and when she didn't look back at him he called her name. "Maria, I have something to give you." With those words he had given the business card that he had been holding since he came in to her.

"Oh, thank you. But, I don't think I'd be good enough." She said as she held it in both hands, looking it over.

"Nonsense, you have exactly what I'm looking for. When you want a break in your career, you know who to call."

With that he left the cafe. No other words were said. He just left. She stood there staring at the card in her hand. After a few minutes of doing nothing she finally snapped out of her shock and put it in her pocket, working on more orders. Her shift was shorter today, since her boss had some important business to take care of with her family.

As she got home she decided to take a shower, sticky from sweat that the steamer had made. Taking a sigh of relief once she was under the steaming hot water, her mind went back to the interaction with the first customer she had that day. With being told that she had exactly what he was looking for some sort of movie or whatever he was currently working on, it made her all giddy inside. But she knew better than to call right away. She was told at countless auditions that she "never looked the part" and that her "potential and drive wasn't all there".

As the water turned cold she jumped as she was shocked out of her thoughts. She definitely needed some sleep. Maybe wait a few days before she called so that she had some time to think it over. With that thought she practically ran into her room and got dressed in the most comfortable items that she owned; her fathers oversized hoodie with a pair of fuzzy teddy bear like tan shorts and a pair of knee high tan socks. As soon as she was dressed she then threw her hair into two braids and went to lay on the couch with a good book. If she fell asleep here she wouldn't really mind since she had the next two days off. She began where she left off in her book, there were only 10 chapters left and she knew she could finish them tonight. But as she began reading she slowly fell asleep in the middle of the most important chapter there was.