The Sign in the Window

On a Tuesday in April, Maya arrived for her shift and stopped on the sidewalk.

There was a new sign in the window of the Lantern Café. It was white with red letters: FOR SALE. Business and building. Call Morgan Real Estate.

She read it twice. Then she went inside.

Sam was behind the counter, as always. He was cleaning the coffee machine, as always. He looked up and said, "Evening," as always.

"Sam," Maya said. "There's a sign in the window."

"I know. I put it there."

"You're selling the café?"

Sam turned back to the machine. "The milk delivery is late tonight. If they come after midnight, sign for twelve litres, not twenty."

That was all. He went into the kitchen and closed the door.

Maya put on her apron. Her hands felt cold.

At midnight, the regulars came in, and every one of them saw the sign.

"What is this?" Luis asked. He pointed at the window with half a muffin. "Is this a joke?"

"I don't know," said Maya. "He won't talk about it."

"Twenty years," said Luis. "I've eaten muffins here for twenty years. Where am I going to eat muffins?"