The wind picked up pace and the hot summer sun beat down on the ground as Imogene Baker walked to work. She hung her head low to block out its intense glare and prayed that she'll reach work soon.
Every day it was like this. Walking the few blocks from her apartment to work. She really didn't mind the walk at all, because most days it gave her time to think. But on hot days where it seems like the sun was angry at her, she wished she had a car.
At last, she reached the coffee shop where she works. She was an hour early as she was every morning. Richard, the shop owner was not here most of the time, so he gave all his employees keys, so they could open up when he wasn't here or would be coming in late.
The door was already open now and she figured Aaron was already here. He was the first one here most days. Thankful for some reprieve from the sun, she pulled open the door with a sigh. The small bell over the door sounded announcing her entrance.
At the sound, Aaron looked up from where he stood behind the counter. He had a rag in his hands and was busy wiping down the countertops. He offered her a smile as she walked over to him.
"Hi, Imogene. You look tired. Had trouble with the sun again?" Aaron teased her lightly.
Having been friends with Aaron Dawkins since she started working here a year and a half ago, he knew her too well. She walked around to the side of the counter he was on. "You have no idea."
"I told you, I can pick you up from your apartment on my way to work. I wouldn't mind at all." Aaron suggested as he always does.
Aaron was the closest friend she has ever had. He would always cheer her up when she was having a bad day and he was kind to her. She shared everything about herself with him and she was always comfortable around him. No one could make her smile as he could.
"Thanks for the offer, Aaron," Imogene replied. "But as I've said before that won't be necessary. I don't want to put you out of your way. Besides, it's a very short distance. I can manage. The walk is also good for me."
"Okay." Aaron smiled once again. "But if you ever change your mind, the offer is still open."
"I'll keep that in mind." Imogene walked towards the back door that was located towards the right of the cash register.
She walked over to the small locker cabinet that stood up against the wall in a corner of the room. Finding her locker, she opened it. Five people were working at the coffee shop, including Richard and each person had a locker to themselves.
Imogene took out her red apron that had the words 'Richie's Coffee House' written on the front in white bold letters. She wrapped it around her green T-shirt and light blue jeans.
Richie's Coffee House was located in the heart of the city. It wasn't a big coffee shop but was still a popular stop for most of the residents in town or the surrounding neighbourhood. The place was swarmed in the early morning by customers stopping in for their early morning coffee before work. It was also packed during the day as well during the lunch hour. Imogene liked working here and so far had no complaints.
After shoving her handbag into the locker, she closed it and walked back towards the front. She washed her hands and got ready for work.
••••••
"I love the way you make the coffee, dear. It's the highlight of my morning." Mrs. Benson, an elderly woman complimented. Mrs. Benson was a regular and would always tell Imogene how much she loves her coffee.
"Thanks, Mrs. Benson." Imogene smiled politely and handed her coffee over to her.
"You know, my third grandchild was born on Thursday. She's such a sweet little angel." Mrs. Benson went on proudly.
Imogene smiled at the older woman. Mrs. Benson was always chatting to Imogene whenever she stopped by for her coffee. Imogene figured that there was nothing in the older lady's life that she didn't know about. She didn't mind though. She loved talking with Mrs. Benson now and then.
"Wow. That's great." Imogene expressed. "Congratulations."
The corner of Mrs. Benson eyes crinkled as she laughed. "Thank you, dear." She replied. "Well, don't let me hold you up from the other customers. I'll see you a next time."
"Okay. Bye Mrs. Benson." Mrs. Benson waved at her before she turned away from the counter.
After serving the majority of the lunch rush, the coffee shop was running at a moderate pace again. No one was currently lining up at the counter to order, so Imogene took a seat around the counter. Her lunch hour was coming up in a short while, so she was passing the time skimming through a magazine.
As she was skimming through the magazine, her attention was soon diverted to a couple sitting near the window in the shop. The couple was listening intently to their young daughter, who sat in front of them as she talked excitedly and animatedly about something that Imogene guessed was exciting. Imogene smiled a little as both parents smiled affectionately at their daughter.
The quiet buzzing in the coffee shop from the chatter of customers faded into the background as Imogene finds herself once again thinking about her own parents.
What were they like?
Were they as captivated by her as this couple seems to be about their daughter?
Did they love her and played with her as a baby?
Imogene sighed lightly. She doubts it. If they had loved her, they wouldn't have left her behind a dumpster to die. They wouldn't have turned their backs on her without a second thought.
Imogene suddenly shook her head slightly as if to get rid of her thoughts. She couldn't think like that. She didn't know the reason why her parents abandoned her. They at least deserved the benefit of the doubt. Which is why Imogene wants to find them, so she can get some answers.
She couldn't explain it, but every morning she woke up, she felt like something was missing in her life. She didn't know what it was like having parents and she really wished she at least knew who they were. The kind of people they were. What they looked like? Did they love her? That sort of thing.
But there was no way she could figure that out.
As a baby, Imogene was found on the streets behind a few dumpsters. She was found by a passerby who took her to the police station. From there, she was put into foster care.
She lived in an orphanage until she was four. It was at that age when her social worker found a home for her. She didn't really liked it there and her foster parents didn't seem to like her either. Their other children would make fun of her and played tricks on her all the time. After just a year, she was taken from that home and was sent to another home.
Living at her new home was basically the same, but it was better than her first house. Everyone in the household would ignore her and she would cry every day. She lived there for three years before she was moved back to the orphanage.
Her social worker didn't say it for her to hear, but she knew she was the reason she couldn't stay with a family for long. She was unlovable. She didn't blame them for thinking that. I guess she was unlovable to her birth mother and father as well.
The last home she went to was better. She was eleven then and the couple didn't have any children. They were nice to her and she was getting on fine with her new family.
Well, that's what she thought.
One day, after just two years, the social worker came for her without giving any explanations. Imogene had never been so confused in her life. She thought they had loved her.
After that, she had never been to another family again. It was then that they decided to send her back to the orphanage. Even though the other children didn't talk to her, it was better for her there. The Matron of the house and the other employees were always nice to her.
She spent the remaining five years at the orphanage before she left to start a new life for herself without ever looking back.
Now she was twenty-five and all she wanted, all she ever wanted was to know who her parents were.
"Imogene?" She heard her name being called. "Imogene? Hey Imogene!"
She was startled from her deep thoughts by Aaron's voice. She looked around at him and gave him a weak smile. "Sorry. I zoned out for while."
Aaron's eyebrows etched with concern as he stared down at her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am." She answered, closing the magazine that she had long forgotten. Aaron didn't look convinced by her response, but he smiled anyway.
"Come on, eat lunch with me." Aaron said.
