The Fall

 

It had been only two days since she had moved from the countryside to a beach town. Her lucky stars were shining bright like diamonds because today was her very first day at her new job. Never in a million years would she imagine finding a job on her very first day in this quaint but busy beach town.

She would work the afternoon shift (3 pm to 10 pm) in this busy café in the busiest mall of the city, which was rated to serving the best coffee in the city. In the morning she would be able to go for a walk along the shore, prepare a nice healthy lunch and then get ready for work. She really enjoyed working with people and loved the smell of freshly brewed coffee so this would be a piece of cake. (pun intended)

Since she had found herself a job, she would now be able to rent a small room for herself. Her aunt had invited her to stay with them until she had found a job. What a lucky girl! Her family was very proud of her and promised to go to the coffee shop after she had gotten used to the work.

First day on the job, she did splendidly and the customers seemed to be pleased. Her boss was happy with her and praised her during the day. At 10 pm the mall closed, she and her co-workers needed to clean up. She was cleaning the tables while some were in the kitchen and others the counter of leftover sweets and savory food – the boss let them take some home.

She was wiping off the tables and removing the sugar and condiment holders when she heard a loud thump behind her and a terror movie scream from a co-worker at the counter of sweets. She slowly turned around and lying in the middle of the café there was a corpse. A man in his 30´s had jumped.

No wonder she was able to get this job. It was very common for people to take their lives here, therefore, those who knew this fact refused the graveyard shift (pun intended). A shiver ran up her spine. She looked up and noticed that above the café there were five stories of stores. The man must have hidden and jumped from the last floor before security had done their rounds.

Sadly, she walked home wondering why some one would take their lives like that.

 

Written: January 17, 2024 (based on a true story)

Google Image ( It is the actual coffee shop
 - in the hole at the bottom- at the mall
where people have taken their lives)