He lifted his head to gaze at her with his hauntingly wistful eyes, and Elaine felt relief that he couldn't see most of her face due to her enormous sunglasses. His eyes reminded Elaine of a forlorn child who had seen and knew more than he should. A young boy hid under the exterior of this tormented college student simply waiting for his opportunity to break free from his misleading facade. Suddenly a voice broke Elaine's silent reverie. It said or perhaps whispered something, but Elaine couldn't comprehend what it uttered until she concentrated. For some reason, the voice sounded as if it came from another universe rather than from within the coffee shop. Once she did focus, she discovered the voice belonged to the boy seated in front of her.

"Is there something I can do for you, Miss?" He inquired courteously. Instinctively, Elaine felt inclined to like this mess of a buccaneer despite her previous judgement. Reminding herself of her original intention, she found the courage to respond properly.

"As a matter of fact, there is something you can do for me," Elaine retorted curtly. "You can remove yourself from my chair and find another place to dawdle."

"I'm terribly sorry, Miss." Elaine wished he would stop calling her miss. It made her begin to feel rude. "I must have been mistaken. This seat appeared unoccupied when I sat down."

"Well, I wasn't sitting here this particular morning, but I have sat here for two consecutive years. And I will be condemned if I allow you to interrupt the delicate cycle!" Her voice took on a strident tone when screeching that last sentence.

The disheveled boy simply examined her for a minute or two. His facial expression maintained to keep its calm countenance while observing Elaine like some abnormal alien that didn't belong in this coffee shop or even on this planet. The intensity of his gaze began to make her feel increasingly awkward. When unexpectedly, a smile played around his lips.