The Last Table at Harbor Cafe

Lena asked permission to revive the Thursday book club. She chose short stories, so people who worked late could finish them. The library lent the books, and participants paid only for whatever they ordered.

When Mr. Reed returned, the cafe was full. His table remained beside the window, with both chairs in place.

A young woman approached him holding a photograph. "Your wife taught me to read," she said. "Would you mind telling me about her?"

He pulled out the empty chair.

The book club did not save the business overnight. Some weeks only four people came, and Lena still worried about bills. But Thursdays stopped being the quietest day of the week.

Months later, she found Mr. Reed reading aloud to three children while their parents finished work. He had ordered two teas. One was for the young woman, now helping him choose stories. Lena left the reservation card behind the counter. For two, it still said.