I like quiet. I like the dark too. I've always gravitated to those Cafés that possess those qualities. It doesn't hurt if they make great espresso as well. A double espresso, something in an Italian roast, served in a double walled stainless steel demitasse cup. Then, find a corner table in the dark. A former ex-girlfriend once accused me of being a bear. Because I like dark and alone, in a cave. I'm comfortable with that. Apparently, she wasn't.
So I found this café called "The Hibernation Hole." I wanted to be there. My first time was a Wednesday. A slow night I hoped. And it was a slow night too. Two or three others besides a couple of workers. Extremely low light and no music. Just blissful quiet. The order was simple. One double espresso, Italian roast. There was some bubbling, hissing and steam. Then served in a beautiful white ceramic demitasse cup. My nose went to the cup to deeply inhale the entrancing aroma. OMG, the scent was perfect. I shuffled around tables and chairs to a wall. It was almost total darkness. And I, I was alone with my espresso. It doesn't get any better than this.
The "Hole" became my favorite haunt. But I was never there on the weekends. Then the place was filled with hipsters, wanabe's and the "In" crowd. The listened to folk singers with an out of tune guitar. OMG!! Once there was a woman playing an autoharp. It was dreadful. Like I said, weekdays were quiet. Then, on a Wednesday in mid-October, during a full moon.
It was cold. A biting wind. The air was thick with the scent of dead leaves and smoke from somewhere. The neighborhood dogs were in fine chorus tonight. The uproar went on and on. The Café was deserted. Just me and the help. I chanced to look up from the frothy top of my espresso. There, deep in the shadows, I thought I saw someone. This is odd as I had not heard the door open. There was also the sensation of being watched. How peculiar. Mostly, others ignored me. It would seem, like my ex-girlfriend had said, I gave off the vibe of grouchy old bear. Just wanting to left alone. But feeling of being observed was tangible. It made the hair on my neck stand up.
I peered into the gloomy darkness. No one there. Wait, they have moved and closer at that. My eyes played tricks on me. Or my imagination was running away. At first, I thought I saw a wolf. Now that is just absurd. Another glance and it was a woman.
She wore a feral smile, and it gave me even more chills. I had the impression of a cat and mouse game. I was the mouse. I sipped espresso because I didn't know what else to do. If I had listened to the little voice in my head, I would have left the building. Another glance and she was closer still. A clearer picture now. She had this long hair that seemed multiple colors. All shades from light blond to black. There were also thick heavy eyebrows, but they seemed to fit her. The ends of which curled up into horns. High cheeks and full blood red lips. I looked away and took another sip.
Such an exotic woman, I thought to myself. Raising my head, I searched for her. To my utter surprise, she now sat across from me at my table. How is it she moved with such stealth?
"Good evening." She said in a deep throaty voice.
The smile returned to her face. Dark eyes that seemed to flash yellow now and again. The hair fell around her shoulders and arms. The V in her blouse drew my attention to tanned full breasts. She laughed as she noticed where my attention had gone.
"That is very naughty of you." She said. "I am Savannah."
A lithe hand extended towards me. She had two-inch black lacquered fingernails. Then she leaned towards me and inhaled deeply.
"You smell like fear and espresso." She added quietly.
Then she laughed and spoke.
"Are you afraid?"
I sat there pondering my answer. Yeah, I was a little afraid. But I didn't want to tell her that.
My thoughts were interrupted when she asked.