Sunday morning I was at the café at 6:45.
My mother was already there. She’d been there since 5:30. She always opens on Sundays because Bev goes to the early service at Our Savior’s.
She saw me come in and pointed at the end of the counter without a word.
I sat on the last stool.
The café was about half full. Farmers in their church clothes, getting breakfast before the ten o’clock service. Two old women who come every Sunday and split one cinnamon roll. A young family with a baby in a car seat.
At 7:05 the door opened and the bell rang, and Craig Lundgren walked in.
I knew it was him immediately. Navy suit, even on a Sunday. Expensive watch. Phone already in his hand. He looked around the café the way you’d look at a room you were about to buy.
My mother looked up from the coffee station.
“Good morning,” she said. “Sit anywhere you like.”
He sat in her section. The same booth as Tuesday, Bev told me later. Third from the end. By the window.
Mom brought him coffee. She didn’t ask if he wanted it. She just poured it.
He looked up at her.
I watched him look at her. I watched him not recognize her. Not even a flicker.
“Two eggs over medium,” he said. “Wheat toast. And make sure the eggs are actually medium this time.”
“I’ll tell the cook,” Mom said.
She smiled at him. The same smile she gives everybody.
She went to the window and put in the order. Then she came down to the end of the counter where I was sitting and refilled my coffee.
“He didn’t recognize you,” I said quietly.
“No. He wouldn’t.”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he was about eight months old the last time he saw me.”
I stared at her.
She went back down the counter.
Craig Lundgren spent the next twenty minutes on his phone. I could hear bits of it. Square footage. Zoning variance. Demolition timeline. He said the word “teardown” three times.
His eggs came. He looked at them for a long time. Then he ate them without saying anything.
At 7:25 the bell rang again.
It was Walt Lundgren.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.