I'm not her - The last table (21.)

It crossed her mind and she began to feel anxious, even though she tried to hide it. After all, it was none of her business, right?

Michael began to mutter something angrily under his breath, which sounded like, "That's all I needed," and while he was grumbling, he went to pour himself the rest of the coffee that was left in the coffee maker.

 

Anna watched this silently until the man sat down across from her, still looking angry. Anna wanted to bring up a neutral topic, but decided against it.

A silence fell between them that could be described as pleasant. Anna looked out the window. It seemed to be quite windy outside. Autumn leaves were flying everywhere. The weather had been cold and gloomy for the last few days.

The people passing by the shop were already wearing winter jackets and coats. She was about to look away from the window when she saw three men sitting on a bench opposite the shop, looking like they were having a good time.

Anna grimaced in disgust and didn't even know why, but for some reason she didn't like the group of men, if only because of what they were holding in their hands.

 

"Is something wrong, Anna?" Michael asked her, and she felt him touch her hand.

*

The woman was just closing the cash register and breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time she was surprised at how much they had earned yesterday, as that had never happened before.

"I always say that my charm is simply irresistible," Michael said when she told him what had impressed her so much. At first, he frowned even more than before, and then he blurted out this nonsense.

 

"And I thought you were a man now, but I see you're still a first-class clown," she retorted, waiting for his response. She watched as his face seemed to darken. He stopped what he was doing and said in a completely serious voice, but with a hidden

 undertone of a clown at a children's party.

 

"Come on! Am I not beautiful?" He made a gesture with his hand as if brushing invisible hair from his shoulder.

Anna couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing. It was a laugh full of relief and unconcealed joy. She held on tighter to the counter because she was in danger of falling over from laughing, but at that moment she couldn't stop.

She felt tears welling up in her eyes and beginning to roll down her cheeks.

"Anna, are you okay?" Michael asked her after a moment, when the laughter didn't subside, but rather intensified.

 

"Anna?" footsteps sounded, and immediately arms wrapped around her waist.

 

"It...is...ok... Emotions...overcame... me..." Anna stammered as soon as she was able to speak. Her eyes were fixed outside. She didn't want to turn her head or lift it to see his expression.

She knew she was acting like a complete fool, but it was just too much for her. First Michael showed up, then Omelglová, both of them appeared almost at the same time, and they knew each other.

Anna's laughter faded and she pulled away from Michael's embrace, saying, "We should open up."

*

 

They did, and it was busy, but not like yesterday.

It was just average. Anna made drinks and Michael took on the role of waiter again. Anna had to admit that they were doing really well, except for one small problem in the form of the men sitting at the back at the last table, who seemed to be having a great time and, above all, talking very loudly.

Anna immediately recognized the guys she had seen sitting on the bench opposite the shop that morning.