The raindrops turned into a steady stream as I watched them drizzle along the coffee shop windowsill, my eyes drifting from my book for a simple second. As I planned to return to the story, where the love interest’s sacrifice surely comes in the next few pages, my gaze returned to the window where I spotted a figure struggling to get a large box from their car.

I watched for a moment, studying the strained movements of a stranger, a rather bulky box in their grasp. I tried to rein in my thoughts, returning my focus to the matter at hand, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I could help. That I should help.

I sighed, placing my book down and grabbing my raincoat, heading for the front door of my beloved comfort place.

“I’ll be back.” I nodded to the barista and swiftly made my way to the parking lot, where I spotted the stranger struggling. “Here, let me help.”

No sooner than I offered, though, the box fell flat from their hands onto the gravel of the parking lot. Her yellow hair, now damp with rain, and her brown eyes seemed to well with tears as she stared at the spilled contents of the box.

“It’s okay, I’ll help.” As she stood frozen for a moment, I knelt, turning the box upright and beginning to load its contents. I pondered why she hadn’t begun helping, but no matter. She seemed to be struggling in more ways than one.

It wasn’t until I started paying attention to what was in the box that I pieced it together.

Baby clothes.

The box was full of baby clothes, toys, shoes, you name it. Mostly infant-sized, maybe a few sizes a bit larger, and I felt my stomach ache at the sight.

“I’m sorry.” The young lady mumbled out, kneeling to finish up what remained scattered on the now-soaked pavement. “You don’t have to do this. I’m just going over to the donation center.” The building a few doors down from the coffee shop. There’s a grimness in her voice that I almost couldn’t shake away, shivering down my spine.

“It’s not a problem. We all need a little help sometimes.” I tried offering her reassurance, even if it didn’t soothe whatever was truly plaguing her. “I can walk with you, if you’d like.”

“That would be nice.” Her reply, however flat, seemed to be genuinely grateful.

Removing my raincoat, I draped it over the box to protect the insides. The top of the cardboard box was now dented in, creating a slight gap. I don’t think the donation center would take them if they got even wetter than they already were.

We’d made our way onto the sidewalk, starting our trek as the rain came down further. We existed together in this soft silence, and I figured I could fill it with some small talk.

“So, are you from around here?” The pinnacle of small talk, indeed.

“Originally, yes. I’d moved away for a while, but I returned home and married. Now I’m recently divorced and just need to get some of the things out of my house.” The blonde girl swallowed a lump in her throat, and I could tell it was a new situation. She likely had some big feelings, and maybe she needed to let them out. Good thing I was born with two ears, because now I’m getting her life story.

“He’d become violent, and became a man I’d never met. And I think when the doctor said I couldn’t have kids, that was the final straw for him. So, I have no use for these… things.” She gestured towards the box, but her eyes remained fixated forward as we arrived at the door.

“I’m sure that’s a difficult situation to manage. What about your feelings, though?” I inquired innocently as we walked to the drop-off location, placing the box among the others that were waiting to be processed. I pulled my raincoat from the top, wearing it once more, the rain causing it to stick to my now damp skin. We then exited the building, but it seemed like she could maybe use a friend.

“My feelings… are gone. I have nothing left for him.” She replied flatly, her tone that of someone trying to keep their cool while carrying the world.

I sighed, shaking my head as she began to veer off, thinking back to my book I left on the table. But something in me just wouldn’t let it go.

“Hey, I don’t even know your name!” I shouted through the rain and now thunder, as the world seemed to grieve with her.

“Oh! I’m Katherine.” She stood, turning back to face me, her yellow hair now plastered to her face from the downpour. “And thank you for all the help.” She gave a soft smile, but I could still see how she was forcing it to meet her eyes.

“It’s no problem. I’m Galley.” I extended my hand, and she gently shook it. “Want to grab a coffee? My treat.” I nodded my head towards the coffee shop as I pulled my hand away.

Katherine seemed to ponder for a moment before returning to her spot beside me, agreeing. As we made our way to my favorite place to be, both of us shivering cold from the rain, we finally turned the conversation to brighter topics.

She’d ordered a tea, and I another iced coffee, as we shared a table for the first time. We discussed my book, and she swore she’d give it a read. We both so happen to like tragic romances. Go figure. We broached the heavy topics at first, telling me how she always wanted to be a mother but now has to let that dream go. I told her that I had always seen myself becoming a journalist, but I, too, let that go in pursuit of my current career. It was when the conversation turned lighter, and I heard her genuinely laugh, that I knew this stranger could truly be a friend. I didn’t have many, after all, and it may be good for me to spend time with someone besides the characters in my books.

“Is that coffee any good?” Katherine asked as I took a sip. “I’ve never had it iced.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s the good stuff. I can’t believe you haven’t had iced coffee.” I held my cup out to her, laughing to myself a bit. “You can try some if you want.”

She took a small sip, and her eyes lit up, returning my cup to my outstretched hand.

“You’re right, that’s delicious.” Katherine then stood, returning to the counter, card in hand. “I’m getting my own!” She called from across the shop, drawing some attention from two others in the shop as I covered my face with my hand. Man, there’s nothing discreet about her, for sure.

She returned, practically beaming with excitement. As the ice in her tea began to melt, she gave all of her attention to the coffee. I just watched with amazement as she finished the whole thing long before I finished mine.

“It tastes like candy. How do you drink it so slowly?” She raised a brow as she took one last sip from a practically empty cup.

“Practice.” I laughed, raising my cup to cheers with hers. Katherine laughed with me as our plastic cups made a ‘clunk’ from knocking them together.

Just as my coffee began to disappear, I noticed a quiet took over the shop. One glance out the window confirmed what I’d suspected. The rain has finally stopped. I began to feel bitterness at the end of this moment, as I needed to head to the grocery store after this. Just as I expected this to be the end of it all, she spoke.

“Same time, tomorrow?”

I grinned, standing as she did, nodding in confirmation.

“Yes, tomorrow would be excellent.”

We parted ways, and I now had someone to look forward to enjoying my peace with me.

Before I knew it, time did what it does best: it flew. Days turned into months, and months into years, and every single day we’d meet at this coffee shop. Whether before work, after work, on our lunch breaks, or on our off days, we always made time. I slowly watched my best friend, who goes by Kat, find her light again. And in turn, I found myself wondering how different life would be if I didn’t help the stranger in the rain.