10/31/2025
Everything started as usual this morning. Arriving early at my café to get ready for the day, my routine came to a halt when I noticed someone beneath one of the outdoor tables — a woman curled up, sleeping.
I approached and gently asked, "Excuse me, do you need help?"
She woke suddenly, appearing startled, and quickly began gathering her belongings, about to leave. Then I got a clear look at her. Mrs. Bell, my son’s former teacher — the one who helped him during tough times.
Her face went bright red. "Oh! I… I must've dozed off under the table. What a… pleasant surprise," she managed with an uneasy chuckle.
Though I offered support, she simply wanted some tea. Inside, watching her, I saw someone changed: Mrs. Bell looked tired, weak, and defeated, nothing like her previous self.
Unable to contain my concern, I eventually said, "I'm sorry to pry, but… what happened to you?"
She averted her eyes, trembling, and after a long silence, started to explain everything.