The doorbell chimed with fervor as she shut the door behind her, the sound echoing in the bar. Outside, the relentless storm took its toll, causing a garbage bag to split open under its weight. Rancid leftovers tumbled onto the pavement, finding their way into the crevices of tile grouts. Discarded cans clattered down the gutter, and shreds of paper danced on the wind, carried away to destinations unknown. The garbage collector stood there, a look of astonishment etched across his face. Just a few strides away was his van, a few steps that must’ve felt like miles in that moment. What was he to do now? Start afresh, painstakingly gathering the refuse, piece by piece?

I reached for her coffee cup, my fingers brushing against the rim that bore a faint trace of her light red lipstick. I brought the cup to my lips and took a sip, as if to taste her lips again.

Ouside, Tina’s blonde hair billowed behind her like a golden banner as she navigated the chaotic scene, gracefully avoiding the debris strewn about. Every step she took seemed to carry a quiet determination, a resolve to forge ahead despite the mess. And then, as if carried away by the gusts of wind, she vanished around the corner, leaving behind a trail of memories and a sense of longing that lingered in the air.