The Patron

The Patron

A Story by Cherrie
"

at the Writer's Cafe

"
A candy-striped awning trimmed in black, its edges tickled in fringe, dances brightly in the breeze," many pass by with not so much as a glance; though, the tasteful entryway sweetly invites admittance. A brightly plumed pen graces the wavy glass window of a sturdy mahogany door, the elegant gold leaf lettering above it simply states, "The Writer's Café."
 
Finally, the stride of a patron slowed, and they peered through a thin lace curtain. Their smile offered must have been reciprocated from within because it grew wider. The door opened in silence, letting soft conversation come forth. The tables offered small intimate settings, and a long, friendly bar with red backless stools swept gracefully along one side of the room.
 
Here, at the café, you will not find tablecloths but poems laminated upon each table. These works are not selected for the authors' names, but because of one simple truth, they each stir the reader.
 
There is no waitress at the café … you must pour your own drink. While you're up, top-off the cup of the person next to you and strike up a conversation. Hopefully, you will be inspired to make a new friend.
 
Though, some enter out of curiosity to kill a little time, most carry words in hand, with some sort of device to make more. A day never passes without a poem being recited or alternate endings cast buoyantly into the air.

 Lining a windowless back wall is a row of booths. They are encased in mahogany panels making cozy little alcoves. In the far-left corner, the incessant staccato tickety-tack SOS sound of a typewriter sings its "end-line-ding, ziiip-return" chorused song. The steady stream of telegraph-like keystrokes makes the patrons grow restless. A quarter is tossed in the jukebox. Etta sings, "At Last." A few stop to let the music carry them far away; others set their pens in motion.
 
One might notice a simple man with curly brown hair who never reads, regales, or writes a word. Like a wooden Indian, he stands stoically by the payphone, with hat in hand. He may have even gone unnoticed, except for one small detail; he returns promptly every day at 1:00, leaving at 2:00. No one gossips about this daily occurrence, though, undoubtedly, an internal dialog occurs throughout the café. 
 
Today, as the man left, I watched his index finger trace along the edge of a poem on one of the tables. Curiosity washed over me; so, I strolled over to the spot where he'd stood, and like an echo in time, I, too, traced the place he'd declared. Then, poured myself a stiff drink. Slowly, I noticed a few more do the same. I smiled, certain we had all pondered the meaning, and in turn, began to write. 

© 2020 Cherrie


Author's Note

Cherrie
pull up a chair, I hope you enjoy this little story that Richard has helped me improve upon.

My Review

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Featured Review

Well, Cherrie ✍

It was an honor to be allowed to offer my 2¢, and I may have helped a little here 'n there, but it's your wonderfully-creative imagination and writing skills that caught my attention, compelling me to offer.
I've read quite a number of Writer's Café stories, treatises, and poems during the years I've served on this site, but none with the original twists yours portray.
I'd love to single out a line or paragraph, but every one is a vivid piece of an intricately entertaining and captivating mystery puzzle.
Lest I ramble on and wear my welcome thin, let me close by saying how very much I enjoy and respect your writing efforts.

Thank you ever-so gratefully for sharing them with Us! ⁓ Richard 🍃

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Cherrie

4 Years Ago

Yes, I have tried several other writing sites and found them stuffy. They only review for enough p.. read more
Kay/Hayden

4 Years Ago

Ya i sort of like writing.com but its not active at all, I have been there for 2 months and only ha.. read more
Richard🖌

4 Years Ago

Gee, Cherrie and Kay 😊

Thanks a million for all your lovely comments and complimen.. read more



Reviews

Beautiful words shared dear Cherrie. I have loved the W.C for many years. Us, who love to write. We need common people to befriend. I told Margie many years ago. She is a friend. We love the same things. Hello my friend and I hope you are doing well.
Coyote

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie

4 Years Ago

I agree with, I have found true friends here and I count you, Maggie and so many other writers her.. read more
Coyote Poetry

4 Years Ago

I agree dear Cherrie. I count you as a friend also. We, who love to write. Need a place to share our.. read more
Where can I find the dimmer switch to turn up the lighting a little? I've only been talking to a Chinese adbot for the past 3 hours and just my luck, she is metric and I am imperial 🤗
Apt perhaps, that your description from the outset conjured images from when younger me read some dude called King's bok needful things... I don't know why the canopy/ window/ entrance reminded me of that, as I'm not even sure if there was a movie of that one, but in these days of isolation and the anxiety of a Christmas less festive season makes here a very needful thing indeed.


This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie

4 Years Ago

I loved that book some many little details where hidden in it.
I have pulled up my chair, poured my drink and gotten lost in conversations and so inspired by the poems I am reading here...I hope this is a 24 hour cafe because I am not ready to go home yet.

j.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie

4 Years Ago

I would thing so, can't turn the lights out on inspiration
what, no muffins?? Well said Cherrie.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie

4 Years Ago

Fresh out for the day

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Added on November 20, 2020
Last Updated on November 23, 2020

Author

Cherrie
Cherrie

Springfield , MO



About
I am a published poet and love poetry. After a lifetime of country living, I'm making a move back to town. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: .. more..

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