#quinn1

[delightfullysimmer]

The next day seemed to drag on for hours. Judy spent it doing chores around her house to try to keep her mind off Joselyn.

[delightfullysimmer]

As they continued talking the conversation faded into the background as the snow fell outside. Minutes faded into hours in the warm bustle of the café and before Joanne knew it, it was time to leave. They stood in the snowfall outside the establishment, the quiet gentleness of the snow washing over them. They embraced, enjoying each other's warmth before departing into the cold night.

[delightfullysimmer]

But let’s not talk about me anymore, how have you been? Feels like we haven’t talked in ages.”

“Yeah, it’s been awhile..” She said, looking out through the window and into the snowstorm, before continuing, “I’ve been good. Just a bit stressed with the new job and all.”

“Right! How’s it working out?”

“Well cleaning dishes and greeting people may not be my favourite thing to do but it’s repetitive and the pay’s well enough so I would say it’s nice. But the holiday rush hasn’t exactly made everything easier to learn,” she said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, no I could see that. Glad to hear you like it though.” Arun shifted slightly in his chair, breaking eye contact before looking up again, “Have you been feeling better? Since you started taking medication?”

“It’s- It feels kind of the same actually. But the doctor said it could take up ‘til a couple of months until I fully feel the effects so… But the job has been helping. Gives you a routine and something to wake up for.”

“Well there’s no rush. Just, let me know if you wanna talk about it.”

“Yeah. I will.” she said with a small smile.

[delightfullysimmer]

Their chatter was interrupted by a waitress walking over and unloading a cup of tea and a hot chocolate. She grabbed the tea and brought it to her lips as she looked around.

“So how’ve you been, Arun?” She asked absentmindedly, her gaze plastered to the new paintings the café had put up.

“It’s been-” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat before finally resting his head in his hands with a sigh- “It’s been a lot.. Who knew having a kid could be this difficult?” he said with a chuckle.

“I can only imagine. Anything special that’s happened or…?”

“No, not really. I’ve just not been sleeping great. Rhea’s been extremely energetic this week and Sidone keeps waking me up whenever Rhea tries to get her to play in the middle of the night.” As he spoke she could see the tired rings under his eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that it’s Sidone's fault. She has work to get up early for. I just.. I just wish I could get some sleep,” he said with a tired smile.

“Well if it bothers you that much you’ll have to talk to her. You need sleep too.” She said with a small smile as she put her hand over his, bringing him out of his thoughts. He met her gaze and smiled for a second before shifting in his seat into a more comfortable position. “And she could always stay with me over the weekend if you need some time to rest.”

“Thank you. I’ll talk to Sidone about it.

[delightfullysimmer]

“Look who finally showed up.” he said as Joanne took the seat opposite him.

“Well you’re always late so I thought we’d change it up a bit today.”

“I’m not always late! It’s not my fault that you’re always early to everything.”

“Sure,” she said, not able to stop herself from smiling anymore, as she locked eyes with him he smiled as well.

“Glad to see you could make it,” he said with a slight laugh.

“You too.”

[delightfullysimmer]

As she entered the small coffee shop she felt warmth surround her. The air was filled with chatter and the smell of coffee. She looked around before spotting him and making her way over to his table by the back wall.

[delightfullysimmer]

The sky was gray as ash as small white flakes floated down, landing on her coat. She looked up, reaching out her hand to catch one of the small snowflakes floating by, watching as it left a watery mark on her gloves. Her cheeks stung with the cold so she zipped the collar of her jacket and continued down the busy street that was slowly turning white.

[delightfullysimmer]

The laughter grew distant as another memory surfaced.

She was sitting on the stairs stroking the mug, thinking back to the day she had gotten it. Loud voices could be heard from downstairs but she didn’t react to it, currently in a world of memories far away from the shouting as tears streamed down her face.

As the kettle beeped Joanne shook her head, slowly being brought back to the real world. She abruptly stood up and poured the water in her mug before grabbing a teabag and heading back to her room, leaving the abyss of emotions that threatened to drag her down any day.