~Coffee With Hayden~
by Gwen
PLEASE READ WITH COMPASSION FOR MY TENDER YEARS
The brisk wind that cleared Toronto's Streets of the last autumn leaves was enough to make Alin wish she'd just stayed home.
It was silly to hope that she could've gotten the job. Maybe her friends were right.
The street lights changed from green to yellow as she stepped off the curb, pulling her scratchy wool sweater closer. As she crossed the street, she had that feeling that everyone was looking at her. Alin could imagine the stares that followed her cold progress...scorn, or pity. Which was worse? Pity.
If it wasn't for the fact that Christmas was looming closer, Alin wouldn't have tried to get the job. Her delicate sewing brought in little enough pay from the craft store on the corner, and used up most of her days.
A particularly strong gust of wind caught her hair, and she jumped blindly the few remaining feet, to be brought up short.
Something warm, incredibly solid was right in front of her.
Alin blushed with embarrassment. "Oh-"
"That's alright. This wind is pretty bad."
The man started to move away, then hesitated.
"You going far?"
Alin felt incredibly stupid, standing in her old thin sweater and scarf. It must be below freezing.
She shrugged, pushing aside her long auburn hair."I don't-speak-English...well."
The young man only smiled. "What do you speak? I love your accent."
Alin unconsciously began to relax."I from Russia. My...mama, papa, everyone be in Russia."
He only smiled again, and Alin felt herself blushing, this time with pleasure. He was so tall, wearing a long gray coat, with an attractive, open face and the most wonderful eyes...
Most of all, his quiet-spoken concern was kind, but respectful, without any traces of pity.
"My name is Hayden." He held out his hand, slowly, being careful not to alarm her.
"Alin. Roshkivif" She took his hand cautiously. The street was beginning to darken, and she had a long walk back to her shabby lodgings.
"Have you seen much of Toronto, Alin?"
Hayden pronounced her name with the exact accent she'd given it, struggling a little over the ending.Alin found herself laughing. "Good."
"Really?"
His hand tightened a little on hers, his fingers were warm and firm. She didn't protest as he began walking towards a brightly lit coffee shop.
Hayden held the door as they went inside, seating her at a little table in the back, away from the crowds. Alin was grateful, she knew her clothes were worn and re-mended enough for plenty of comments. Often, people would look at her and ask to see her money first. In those cases, she left.
"I'm starving." Hayden opened his menu with enthusiasm. "I've been so busy lately...it's good to be home, in Toronto. I must confess..." he grinned devilishly over the menu at her,"I was window shopping."
Alin laughed."What you call-window shopping?"
Hayden seemed pleased that she'd laughed. Satisfied.
"It's when you go looking in all the store windows at things..like Christmas Presents...I suppose I go inside, too... but I don't buy anything. I just look."
Alin nodded."I understand."
Hayden blew on a hot cup of coffee, slender fingers wrapped about the handle.
Alin took tiny sips of her cocoa, relishing the warmth, both hands about the mug. She felt cheered.
"I'm sorry I drug you in here," Hayden was saying."I hope you weren't busy."
"Oh, no. I was..desiring...a new job, but it is hard. I hard time speaking English. Yet."
"How long have you been here?"
"Three months, Toronto. I came because my family...not lot of money. I am old to find ...work..be on my own. There.." she held up both hands, then four fingers,"children in my family."
Hayden smiled. "My family.." he held up four fingers.
Alin laughed. "You so tall. You make five my family!"
Her escort shook his head."My brother, Tove, makes me look a lot smaller."
A waitress came up, chewing gum. She drew out her pencil pad, glancing at the clock above them.
"What do you want?"
Hayden ordered rolls and lots of sides, hot soup and other things that Alin couldn't understand.
"You know, I'd like to thank you for eating dinner with me," he said, after Alin had silently finished her bountiful plate.
She looked puzzled.
"I would have had to eat alone, but instead you've kept me company."
He fished in his pocket for a tip, then they walked quietly outdoors. A few flakes of early snow were stealing their way across the sky. A taxi pulled up. Alin hadn't even noticed Hayden summon one. The driver hastily put down the window.
"Hey, Mr. Christensen, need a lift?"
Hayden shook his head. "No, but the young lady does."
Alin started to protest as Hayden leaned in and handed the driver some money."Take her where ever she wants to go."
"Sure, Mr. Christensen!"
Hayden faced Alin, the snow highlighting his wavy hair under the streetlights, face glowing with melted snow.
He took her hand, again, pressing a piece of paper into it.
"Here. This is a friend of mine. Try calling him tomorrow...he might have a position you could fill."
Position..it sounded like a real job. Alin felt tears rising. "You've been so kind."
"I think it time my city showed you some real hospitality."
Alin wiped furtively at her eyes."Thank you."
Then Hayden pressed her close, in a quick embrace, and Alin found herself staring at his retreating form from within the safety of her taxi.
Snow was painting the city a beautiful pearl as Alin rode home, thinking about the presents she could buy for her family.
"Do you really know him?" the taxi driver asked as he let her out.
"Who? Hayden?"
The man looked exasperated. "Hayden! That was Hayden Christensen! He's one of the greatest movie stars of all time!"
"He's famous?"
"Oh, man. What do you do? Go to the movies. Watch Episode II."
Alin hesitated."Episode II?"
"It's Star Wars. Don't forget."
If you saw Alin today, you might not pick her out right away. Probably because she dresses like everybody else, and she holds her head up, too. But she's there....her, and the little sister she earned enough money to send over for. You could see them, if you looked, walking the windy Toronto sidewalks every autumn, just looking, window shopping. And if you asked her, she'd still say that to her, Hayden Christensen was less a light-saber wielding hero than a tall, kind young man who had dinner with her in a coffee shop.
Please pardon mistakes. I have to go now, and I haven't time to check it all over!
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