Chapter Text
I shivered, trying to curl in on myself even though I had a dog harness in one hand and my iphone in the other. It was incredibly windy today, and although it stopped snowing before I left the apartment, snow was still being whipped around me as I tried to reach my destination.
“Turn left in 15 feet.”
“Thanks, Siri.” I muttered to myself, gripping the dog’s cold, metal harness with frost bitten fingers. I should’ve bought gloves.
I was headed to Rose Cafe, my first time going there. I’m always trying to find good places to eat that are easy to get to, and that are nice and allow dogs with no problem. And since I just recently moved here with one of my best friends, Eren, I had also started to look for places to work. And by that I mean places that will hire a blind person.
Probably not many.
“turn left.” Siri commanded. IPhones have this cool, new thing to help blind or disabled people make their way around. Basically, it lets someone know where they’re going from where they’re at via phone-tracking technology, and even tells them when the next bus is coming or train or something. Nowadays, technology sure is amazing.
I gently tugged Titan’s harness to my left so he could guide me to the cafe. “Go straight 20 feet.” Siri ordered in her fake, artificial voice.
I kept on walking. Titan tugged on his harness for a second, indicating something was in front of me. I followed him around the item. A trashcan?
“You have reached your destination.”
I turned, faced the door to the cafe, and breathed the air in. It smelt like melted chocolate through the cold crisp air. Titan made his way to the door where he sat diligently to the side as I made a move to open it. The handle was long, and made of brass, like the kind you find in old buildings. A small bell rang as I opened the door, tugging on Titan’s harness to show him it was ok to enter. I did, and I followed close behind.
“Welcome to Rose’s Bakery! shall I...” Her breath caught as she saw my dog. The place was very warm, with country music playing quietly in the background. It was warm, but it wasn’t stuffy, like it would be if they had a heater. Which means their walls were insulated nicely and all its goods were freshly baked. My mouth watered slightly. The floorboards creaked of old wood as Titan and I crossed the threshold to the voice. Suddenly I stopped, and gasped. Titan, noticing my hesitation, stopped as well. How could I be so stupid! this was a place where people ate! How could I bring my dog in here?
“I- I’m so sorry, I forgot- I mean, I didn’t mean to bring my dog in-” I stammered. Now we’re going to get kicked out into the cold again, just when my limbs were starting to become un-numbed.
The voice laughed, much to my surprise. “No, no, its fine. That’s a seeing-eye dog, right? You are allowed to eat here.”
“But... Aren’t you worried that my dog... I mean, people are allergic to dogs, and this is a place where people eat...”
The voice laughed again. “Don’t worry, I’m sure your dog is very well trained. Besides, it would be illegal if I denied you access because of a seeing eye dog.” I smiled at her kindness. “Thank you. It is very cold outside.” She laughed again.
“I’m Crista. What’s your name?”
“...Marco” I said. Why did she want my name again?
“Whats your dog’s name?”
“Titan.”
“Ooh, thats a nice name. Suits a golden retriever.” She said, half to herself. “Would you like me to read you the menu, Marco?”
Oh, thats why she wanted my name.
I sat down with my sandwich and hot cocoa. The sandwich had some kind of slightly salty meat in it with lettuce and some fancy mustard. (There is a difference between mustard quality) The bread I think was... The same kind of bread they put in Paninis. The hot cocoa was the fancy, quality kind. With like dark chocolate and wasn’t chunky.
I didn’t ask her to read me the menu, as I bet there was probably a lot of things and I can’t remember that much, but instead asked for a hot cocoa and a “surprise me”.
The food wasn’t that expensive either, probably $15 dollars all together. Titan was laying at my feet, panting slightly. It’s true, he was very well trained, and we’ve lived together for 5 years. I’ve lived with Eren for 4 years, ever since he found out I can’t really function without someone to do the dishes and clean up after me. Not that I can’t clean up after myself, but you know, stuff very often gets lost and broken.
Crista is a very nice person. I learned that she had an egyptian mau, and that she is soon going to be moving in with her girlfriend. She is not a very big fan of dogs, because they drool all over everything, apparently, but she can see the charm in owning a dog.
Then she said that she normally doesn't talk that much, and how annoying she must be to me, but I don't mind. Most people (in my experience) try to avoid the disabled person.
As I chewed, I tapped my foot lightly against the ground, though not enough to disturb Titan. I hope I hadn’t given her the wrong amount of money. I usually put tape on the surface of the money, so I can tell whether they’re singles, 5’s, or 20’s. I always break my money down, if I don’t put it in my bank account.
Though fuck Eren, for getting Krewella’s Alive stuck in my head. He’s a dancer, you see, but no one knows his true identity. He wears a mask when he dances, apparently.
“Hey, what the fuck is that dog doing in here??” A loud voice shouted. I nearly had a heart attack, and Titan sat up, on full alert. I didn’t hear him come in!
“Oh, I’m-” I started, my voice cracking. Were was Crista? I can’t do this on my own...
“You know what, fuck that. Get the fuck out.” I can’t move. I was scared shitless. I felt a panic attack coming on, and my legs felt like jelly. Titan started growling, sensing my anxiety.
I can’t do this. I didn’t mean for this to happen.
“I-I’m sorr-”
“JEAN, STOP.” Crista said, raising her voice. “Let him eat in peace.”
I thanked the Gods for Crista coming in time, and I slowly sat down and picked up my sandwich. But I somehow wasn’t hungry anymore.
“But- Crista, he’s got a dog in here,” He argued. Crista didn’t let him finish.
“Jean, he’s Blind. Thats his seeing eye dog.”
“Oh...! Oh...” His voice went from shocked to guilty in seconds.
It was silent for a few seconds. A pregnant pause.
I coughed. I felt their glances on me. “Its ok, I don’t really mind... It happens to me a lot anyway.” I laughed awkwardly, and I felt the tension in the room life a little bit.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were blind...” The guy... Jean? said, genuinely apologetic.
I laughed again. “As I said, its fine. I’m used to it.”
Time went back to normal. a couple more customers came in. They ordered. The music changed. I finished my sandwich and hot chocolate and was about to leave when-
“Hey, about earlier...”
It was Jean.
“Yes?” I questioned. I was all about ready to leave.
“Um... I hope you weren’t too upset by what happened earlier. I mean... Are you looking for job?” I heard scratching noises, coming from his direction.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean... Oh gosh, what am I saying, you’re blind.” He said, smacking himself.
“No, no, its fine. I can do any job as well as a normal sighted person.” I said optimistically. Actually, this guy was kinda pissing me off.
“Oh, well, It seems that you are new to this town, I mean most of the people who come here are all regulars, so... I figured you must be knew.” His words were starting to blend a little bit near the end, like he was embarrassed.
“Oh, well I am, actually...” I admitted.
“Oh! Ok, because I was just thinking that you could work for a friend of mine, who works at a kind of... Thing...” His voice trailed off at the end.
“Thing?” I questioned. I really was interested at this point. Anything to help out Eren play the bills.
“My friend... Works... At a bookstore...” He said, hardy above a whisper.
Silence filled the cafe one again.