The coffee shop was dimly lit, with overstuffed chairs and abstract artwork on the walls. Somewhere she never would have come in a million years, which was why it was so perfect.

“What can I get you, miss?”

“Can I have…a latte? And a corn muffin.”

She sat in the back corner, listening to the rain beating out a rhythm on the roof. She liked the rain. It made it feel safer inside.

From her pocket, she pulled the lone birthday candle and a match. Looking around, she struck it on the bottom of her sneaker, lit it, and placed it in the muffin. The light flickered and danced, casting shadows on the wall around her.

“Miss? Miss? You can’t do that in here. I’m going to have to ask you to take out the candle. Miss! Are you listening?”

With a faraway look in her eyes, she tore the yellow muffin into pieces, dropping them in her coffee until they disappeared. “I’m done.”

She tossed a tip on the table, stuck her hands in her sweatshirt pockets, and walked back out into the rain, letting it soak her to the skin.