Monday. Last week of this month. Today, I must go to the office as usual. Of course, that meant meeting my co-workers once more for the rest of the work days.
I went to the Wilsons, as a customer of course. The shop was calmer—and in fact, I saw none of those vibrant signs and flashy boxes of dolls. A lot had changed in a week.
When I pushed the door, Jonah was there. He didn't even need words to know why I'm here. So I took a seat. When he came, he brought black coffee and a piece of plain bread.
I looked at him, noticing his unfocused gaze. He seemed to realize his mistake, as he turned back to carry my usual order, but I stopped him. I told him to sit, "You look tired." I bluntly told him.
"Yeah... I didn't get a good sleep last night. It's still tense..." He trailed off, though the matter of the subject was not lost on me. Both Mr. Wilson and Cuddy had quite a fight that day. Maybe he was also disappointed in me for staying silent, but I couldn't do anything meaningful anyway.
There was a great silence before he spoke again, "... I'm afraid. About my family. What if it turns out for the worst? I should've said—no. No... I shouldn't even say anything. If I say one wrong thing, and this whole thing falls apart... It'll be my fault..." He rambled.
"I had dreams, but I stayed. I had things I want, but I didn't chase them. I didn't want the others to fall apart. If I say Dad's right or that Sis is right, something would change and it could be for the worst."
I could see the distress. He was a coward, there was no way to put it in another way. In a way, I could see myself in him. Taking the easier paths, compromising, but he acted on fear of hurting people around him. Even if our actions somehow mirrored each other, the reason greatly differ.
"You're a coward. But that's human." I blurted out. It wasn't meant to be anything but an assessment, but Jonah seemed a little relieved. A feeling of validation, I assumed.
"There's no reason to not talk. If either way leads to everything falling apart, then better pick one that lets you to act." I told him. My statement was solely based off my own experience. At least, if it turns out for the worst, he wouldn't be a confused mess.
I sipped on the coffee. Bitter. I didn't like it. Though it didn't seem like what Mr. Wilson would brew. Probably Jonah's own preference. I ate the bread. I didn't taste anything. It was okay. Jonah, who sat across from me, seemed to be considering something. Evident from his expression that could be inferred as concentrating.
I quickly left the shop, going to where I was supposed to. The office. As I went to my cubicle, I realized something. No one was carrying those dolls again. Even if just a few weeks ago they'd be gushing over it.
Daniel was nowhere to be seen. Someone rushed inside, "Haah... On time..." It was, of course, Daniel. He seemed to be flashier with each day. I wonder if he would continue doing that.
The day went as normal. The new things I noticed were how Daniel seemed to be wary all the time, his phone who always vibrate with an interval of 1 call per 30 minutes. When lunchtime came, I didn't gather around him and the others.
Despite the fact that we were hanging out just one or two weeks ago, I didn't grow attached to them. It felt very superficial, and after spending some time thinking about it. They only hang around when I bought new things, and now that I don't, they stopped. It seemed that what mattered was what you have. It felt logical, should we use their perception. Why would they keep someone who barely try to match their interest?
So, I spent lunch alone. It wasn't bad—if only the bird wasn't here to pester me. It roosted outseide the window, near where I sit. Its voice, soothing as always, "They'll left you, wouldn't they? Of course they would! Go! Return to the path I laid down for you!" It raised its voice.
I glanced at it for a few seconds, then decided to return to my cubicle. I worked and the rest of the day turned out fine. Mostly.