PixabayThe old coffee shop in San Cipriano was the only thing that kept the town alive, and the only thing that kept the coffee shop alive was Orlando. Orlando was a tall man, with a deep voice and a somewhat somber look but his head of abundant silver painted hair gave him a different look; he was really a kind man who never charged for coffee beyond what anyone could give.
But Orlando was getting on in years, and although no one noticed, the coffee shop that was his only family member was beginning to speak for him. The wallpaper on the walls was beginning to fade, and the tiles already bore the mark of years of satisfied customers. Orlando loved taking care of every person in town and even though everyone appreciated Orlando they took it for granted that he would always be taking care of them.
And yes, Orlando still had a few years to live, the truth was that he had to make a decision, continue his life quietly and live about 15 years or work a few more years but it would not last long. The day the doctor from the neighboring town gave Orlando this news his life collapsed, since his work was the only thing that allowed him to have company since that was his only family. and when he arrived at the cafeteria he saw the espresso machine let out a cloud of steam as if it was also annoyed with life.
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At this moment, Orlando remembered his beginnings to make the decision of whether to continue living but be alone, or give the town a little more of him even if it was a couple of years. The truth is that Orlando was an orphan boy who escaped from the cruel slavery in the town of New Republic, he was 12 years old when he managed to get out with 5 other people, but he was the only one who made it, while he was a slave he had worked in the coffee fields, and contrary to what anyone would think he did not hate coffee, since many times eating it saved his life since the conditions were difficult for a child.
He came to make his coffee in San Cipriano when he was 24 years old, the town was relatively new and he had been working for years to move to a city with "opportunities" but in the end he got them in town. He had his own coffee plantation, as well as vanilla, cinnamon and other spices that he used to give the coffee its magic; he also had some cows and goats from which he could get good milk.
Orlando was distracted, absorbed in his thoughts but he attended to each person as usual, even the mayor was there that day and along with him, the town's doctor.
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And from one moment to the next Orlando felt that his strength left him and he stopped in the middle of the cafeteria, this seemed strange to everyone since Orlando was always like an ant running from one place to another. Within seconds of this a large cloud of steam along with a rumbling sound caught everyone's attention, the result of the espresso machine having taken a last breath and stopped working.
Or at least that was the technical opinion, everyone liked to believe that it warned that something bad was happening, because after this Orlando collapsed on the floor fainted, immediately everyone went to the aid of Orlando who was taken to the hospital and was in a coma for 3 days.
The disease had advanced more than expected and if he did not stop exerting himself he could die in a few months. During the coma the whole hospital was watching over him, the truth is that Orlando had won the affection of everyone although no one knew it until that moment. He had the best care and every person in town brought him gifts, the kids took care of the coffee plantation and the cattle, as well as cleaning his house.
And the mayor donated materials to remodel the coffee shop and 5 espresso machines and hire helpers for Orlando that he would pay for himself so all the profit would be Orlando's without deducting a penny. And in the middle of the coffee shop the old espresso machine repaired but as a reminder that the coffee had saved Orlando's life a second time.
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Orlando didn't know any of this because of the coma, and as soon as he woke up, he got out of bed got dressed and left the hospital, when the nurses saw this they warned that Orlando had escaped, although everyone already knew where he was going. So the whole town went to the cafeteria and arriving before Orlando they hid inside and when he arrived they gave him the surprise.
Orlando was ecstatic and did not understand anything of what had happened, behind him the ambulance with all the gifts that had been given to him and the mayor gave him a plaque of Honorary Citizen of the town, with the inscription "The Best Coffee Grower".
At this moment Orlando knew that his family was not only the cafeteria but all those who went to it every day, and unable to contain his joy he burst into tears while everyone hugged him. And since then the story was different, Orlando opened the cafeteria every day until his death at 118 years old, he lived more than anyone would have thought, in his life he only needed to open his eyes and realize what he had and in the end thanks to the espresso machine he was able to do it.
