MudPuddle

Freya was the only one who showed up to work that day, but she wasn’t surprised. There had been flash flood warnings all week from the continuous rainfall and her coworkers were quick to take any excuse for a day off. The little bell on the cafe door jingled as someone entered and she didn’t even look up from decorating a small macaron as she greeted them.

“Welcome to the MudPuddle, where the coffee is fresh and the- oh…” she paused as she looked up. “It’s you.”

Freya’s smile turned sour as she watched Nick approach the counter to order. His hair was dripping from the rain that had been pouring all morning. Why he never used an umbrella she would never understand. He’d been that way ever since they were kids. But now, the lovable quirk was a grating annoyance.

She sighed and put on her customer service face. “What can I get you?”

“I just needed to talk to you for a minute, if it’s not too busy.” Nick said, glancing around the mostly empty cafe.

It was a stormy Thursday afternoon and there had hardly been anyone there all day. Business was slow. But Freya did not want to deal with this right now.

“We’ve already talked. A lot. And I’m on the clock, so maybe later.” She said with a huff, turning to rinse out a frappuccino blender.

“Freya please, just five minutes.”

“Not today, Nick.” She said melodically, trying her best to sound friendly for the very few customers still trying to enjoy their coffee in peace.

She didn’t get why Nick was being so persistent. They broke up two weeks ago. They’d had multiple conversations and tried to stay civil but it just wasn’t working. She knew it was a mistake to cross that line from childhood friends to… more than friends. But it was done. And it was uncomfortable now. And she just needed some time to process it all.

Freya set the blender on the drying rack and then turned to refill the cold brew dispenser. Nick was still standing there, a sad puppy look on his face, dripping water all over the cafe’s oak flooring. She exhaled dramatically and then gestured for him to get on with it.

“I signed up for the donor program.” He said, fidgeting with the worn sleeve of his flannel shirt. A nervous habit, all his clothing had the same frayed cuffs. She had one of his pullovers in her room still, it was probably just as worn.

Freya’s heart did something weird as she thought of that and she quickly shut it down. “Why would you do that? Are you suicidal?”

A lady at a table in the corner of the shop looked up curiously from her book and Freya dropped her voice to a whisper.

“That’s a terrible idea. Why now?”

“It’s… it’s not like it was before. I’ve heard from several people that the new treaty is actually pretty safe. And it’s only for five years…”

“Five years?! You’re just gonna vanish away for five years like it’s nothing while a vampire uses you as his own personal blood bag?!” Her whisper screaming was not much quieter than her regular voice and she cursed herself for reacting so emotionally. But this was stupid. Nick couldn’t do this. He was too…he…

“I thought maybe it’d be good to have some space from each other for a while. And you know I’m about to get kicked out of my apartment. I can’t keep up with the payments. If I do this then it’s free food and housing for as long as the contract lasts.” He shrugged like that was totally valid compensation for trading his literal life blood.

“There are better options, you could work here part time, I could talk to-”

“Freya.” Nick interrupted, leaned against the counter to be closer, his damp hair sticking to his forehead. “I’ve already decided. I’m going to the peace center right after I leave here. I just… wanted to tell you before I left.”

Freya’s throat felt tight and she couldn’t make any other words come out. What if he didn’t make it back? What if the vampire he was paired with killed him after just a few days? That’s what used to happen. Donors didn’t last more than a couple of months. Was this new treaty really any better?

“Don’t worry about me.” Nick said, as if reading her mind. “I’ll still have my phone in case you ever want to check in. And maybe when I get back… maybe we can try the ‘just friends’ thing again?”

Freya’s brow furrowed but she nodded as tears started to well up in her eyes. It… it would be fine. He was right. This could be a good thing for them. A break with time to think. But five years? They could be completely different people by then.

“I’ll text you when I’m settled in and let you know what the vampire is like and if he actually sleeps in a coffin.” Nick said with a slight smirk.

Freya let out a small laugh and wiped her eyes. “Yeah, see if he hates garlic too.”

“Oh definitely, I’m going to order so much Italian takeout, it’s gonna be ridiculous.”

They both chuckled then and Freya realized the cafe had become empty, the only sounds were the patter of rain still falling outside and the occasional crack of thunder.

“Goodluck.” She said with a sad smile.

“Thanks.” Nick said, nodding as he turned to go.

Freya wanted to stop him. Her throat closed up on a plea for him to stay. She watched quietly as he walked out into the rain, getting soaked to the bone. A part of her wished that she could go back to when they were just friends and stop everything from getting ruined. She couldn’t deny that she cared about him more than she was willing to admit. But it was done… and he was gone.

“Please be safe.” She whispered to the empty cafe. The only answer was a low rumble of thunder.