One summer, I was enjoying a cup of coffee when I was sitting at a café. Suddenly, a pregnant woman approached me and inquired as to whether or not I had consumed anything to eat. As time went on, she started to insist that I go and clean the table for her herself. I declined in a kind manner, but she began to yell out to the entire café that I had already consumed my meal and that I ought to leave. I gave her a grin and then whispered one thing to her:

“Why is that?”

She was taken aback and blinked her eyes. It’s possible that she hadn’t imagined that I would question her. It is possible that she believed that yelling would help her achieve her goals. Those who were around were now keeping an eye on us. A man who was sitting two tables down paused in the middle of his drink. Frozen in place, a waitress was clutching a tray of beverages.

Her voice became more agitated as she yelled out, “I’m pregnant.” The heat is unbearable, and I shouldn’t have to stand here!

Taking another drink of my coffee, I slowly nodded my head in agreement. “I am in agreement. That being said, I pointed behind her and pointed her that there were three empty tables right there.

To look, she turned her head. In point of fact, there were three little tables available. Although it is not the best view, it is clean and shaded. With a faint color to her cheeks, she turned her head to look at me again.

I have no interest in those. Let me have yours.”

This was not a logical argument at all. Yes, mine was right next to the sidewalk, and the breeze that came from the automobiles that were driving by made it a wonderful place to be. However, there was no reservation, and there was no sign telling anyone that property belonged to them. Just a man taking pleasure in his morning with a cup that is only halfway full.

When I was calm, I said, “I’m sorry.” Then again, I arrived here first.

When she looked at me, she appeared annoyed and possibly embarrassed by the fact that people were obviously watching her. After that, I was taken aback when she sat down on the opposite chair at my table without first asking her to do so.

A raised eyebrow was all I did, but I remained silent. After pulling out her phone, she started scrolling through it in a furious manner while screaming something about how disrespectful people were in this day and age. There was a part of me that was curious, but I was also considering getting up and going.

Some time had passed. After casting a worried glance in my direction, the waitress approached her to begin taking her order.

The water with the lemon. The woman yelled out, “And don’t take too much time.” With a nod, the waitress exited the establishment.

One more time, I glanced at her. Despite the fact that she was no longer shouting, she appeared to be younger. Perhaps midway through her twenties. There was a small tremor in her hands. As I was watching, she caught me.

“What?” she questioned in a chilly tone.

A difficult day? I inquired carefully.

It was as though I had spoken in a different language when she stared at me. Do you believe that I spend the most of my mornings yelling at people I have never met before? The tone of her voice was very defensive.

I gave a shrug. “You can never be sure.”

Loudly, she let out a sigh. My boyfriend was meant to meet me here, but he is not answering his phone. I have had three busses cancel, my back feels like someone drove a truck over it, and I have been waiting for him for a long time.

That shed a lot of light on the situation. While not everything, it is sufficient.

Do you wish to discuss it with me? I questioned, not sure why I was making the offer.

She gave me a peculiar look, but then, much to my astonishment, she did not hesitate to nod. The man’s name is Eric. For the past two years, we have been together. I told him that I was pregnant, and he seemed to be fine with it. First of all.”

I paid attention. She continued to speak, at first softly and then with the force like a dam breaching. regarding how he had begun to behave in a different manner. Having a tardy arrival. The failure to answer calls. “I just need space” and “This wasn’t planned” are examples of statements that can be made.

She was hoping to receive reassurance from him, so she came to meet him here. Rather than that, he did not show up.

Finally, she spoke up and acknowledged, “I’m scared.” “I have no idea how to even think about being a mother. She left when I was ten years old, my own mother. I am not living with anyone.”

The rage that she had been expressing earlier made perfect sense all of a sudden. It has nothing to do with the table. It was not even about me at all. The feeling was one of terror, encased in frustration.

My head slowly nodded. It was then that I replied, “You know, I think you’re stronger than you think you are.”

She let out a snort. In public, I yelled at a person I did not know. An authentic power.”

I in no way implied that you were flawless. On the other hand, you arrived here. You desired to have a conversation with someone. That requires a certain amount of effort.”

Through tears in her eyes, she stared at me. Is it your opinion that I ought to keep the baby?

There was a pause. That was not a question that a complete stranger was supposed to say. However, it’s possible that what she required was not a decision but rather someone who wouldn’t leave her alone.

After giving it some great consideration, I answered, “I believe that you ought to give yourself the time and space to decide what is best for you.” But you shouldn’t make the decision by yourself.”

We did nothing but sit there for a time. It was her water that arrived. Once more, the breeze picked increasing speed. People had returned to their dinners at that point.

She then on to say, “You know what? It’s my fault that I yelled. I was acting in a terrible manner.”

My response was, “It happens.”

A faint, exhausted smile appeared on her face. “Thank you for not being such a terrible person”

Several minutes later, she stood up and walked away. “I ought to leave. Perhaps he will give you a call.”

After beginning to walk away, she stopped and turned around. I am grateful to you. It’s true.”

Soon after that, she vanished.

After some time had passed, I made my way back to that café. The same location. I also carried a book with me this time.

After around twenty minutes, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. When I looked up, I saw her; it was the same girl, but she had a different appearance. Not as stressed out. Hair pulled back in a chic manner. A tiny bag was in her hand at the time.

She called out, “Hey,” with a timid smile. “Ought I to take a seat?”

In a slightly shocked tone, I responded, “Sure.”

She took a seat. Then… Eric has not communicated with me. On that day, and ever since then. But I… It was a support center that I went to. It was helpful to me. There is a group specifically for sole mothers. And I came to the realization that I am not alone.”

I gave a slight nod. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that.

A job was also discovered for me. It is a solid position, despite its tiny size (receptionist at a dental office). In addition, they are taking the pregnancy into consideration.

“I can’t believe that,” I exclaimed.

Her hand reached into the bag, and she retrieved a small charm keychain from within it. A small silver bird was what it was. When I saw this in a store, I immediately thought of you. You were there for me when I was at my lowest point. I just wanted to express my gratitude to you.

Taking the charm in my hands, I smiled. “There was no need for you to.”

“I am aware,” she responded. I had the desire to do so.

We engaged in a little bit more conversation. She intended to give the infant the name Lily, which was derived from a flower that had been cultivated in the garden of her grandmother. She hadn’t been there in years, but she recalled how serene the atmosphere was from her last visit.

She said, “You know, I thought that day you were just some grumpy guy guarding his table.” Her statement was followed by a pause.

It made me laugh. It’s likely that I was.

She wore a grin. “But now that I think about it, perhaps it was meant for you to be there.”

During the subsequent few months, I had sporadic encounters with her. Whenever she went by the café, she would wave and occasionally pause for a few minutes. There was a connection between us, even if we did not develop a close friendship or anything else.

After that, I caught a glimpse of her through the window on a gloomy afternoon. She appeared to be in a state of terror. I hurriedly opened the door and exited the building.

Then she let out a cry, “It’s happening.” “In the morning. Please hurry up and get me to the hospital.

It didn’t even cross my mind. I snatched my keys, dashed to the car, and transported her to the emergency room. Throughout the journey, she continued to squeeze my hand, breathing rapidly, and murmuring, “Too soon.” It is not yet expected that she will arrive.

It’s okay,” I kept repeating to myself. “You are not the only one.”

It was hours before we left the hospital. I sat in the waiting area, drenched from the rain, my heart hammering despite the fact that I had no idea why it was doing so. Finally, a nurse emerged from the room and grinned.

Yes, she is OK. And the infant is doing fine.”

Unbeknownst to me, I had been holding my breath till I let it out.

After some time had passed, I entered the room, and she appeared to be fatigued yet brilliant. The color had returned to her cheeks, and her hair was clinging to her forehead. Additionally, she was holding a teeny-tiny bundle that was writhing and wrapped in pink.

“This is Lily,” she hushed in a low voice. “She is young, but she is powerful. Someone I am familiar with.”

I cracked a grin.

The weeks went by. I never saw her again after that.

Then, on a spring morning, almost a year later, I was at the same café, in the same location, when I noticed a young child waddling up the pavement. Another woman came up behind her and laughed softly.

No, it was she.

I had a wave from her. I had stood up and moved over.

“It is Lily,” she remarked as she took the young child into her arms by the shoulders. Full of curiosity, Lily had dark curls and huge brown eyes. She was a young girl.

I remarked, “She is just stunning.”

With eyes that were suddenly serious, she gazed at me. You gave me the confidence that I could accomplish this. “I will never, ever forget that.”

There was a little bit more conversation between us. Aside from continuing to work, she was also attending evening classes on the internet. She had recently relocated to a modest apartment. She aspired to work in the medical field. She expressed her desire to assist others in the same manner that she had been assisted by others.

Just before they left, she gave me a short note that was folded in half.

After some time had passed, I opened it. On the inside was a quick paragraph that stated, “Some angels do not wear wings.” When you are in need of them the most, some of them simply hold space at a table.

A sentence like that has stayed with me.

There are moments when we believe that the world revolves according to logic and plans. The unexpected, on the other hand, can sometimes be the source of the most significant events. A talk, a table, and an unknown person.

Having perfect timing or always knowing what to say is not something that is necessary in life. There are moments when all that is required is to remain still when another person is gradually disintegrating. It is also important to show kindness, even if you do not fully comprehend the storm that they are experiencing.

My actions were not particularly heroic. I did not find solutions to her issues. Still, I remained. And sometimes, it is all that is required of a person.

Thus, the next time someone disrupts your tranquility with their mayhem, take a moment to pause. Inquire as to why. Take note. Simply by being present, you never know whose life you might be able to alter with your presence.

Also, if you like reading this article, please tell others about it. There could be someone out there who needs to read it right now. It may be someone who is either lost or terrified, or someone who is simply sitting at a table trying to find a little hope. 💛