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Chapter 2
Theoldmanstrokedhisforehead."Yes,thisisthelastofit.ThelastKonacoffeeonthefaceoftheearth.Onceit’sgone,it’sgone."
"Where’dyougetaholdofsomethinglikethat?"
"That,mydear,isasecret."
Thehempenbagwaspackedwithcream-coloredbeans.Theywereslightlymoreroundthanmostcoffeebeans,buttheylookedordinaryinallotherrespects.
Ritapickeduponeofthebeansandinspectedit.Theunroastedspecimenwascoolandpleasanttothetouch.Sheimaginedthebeansbaskinginthesunofanazureskythatspreadallthewaytothehorizon.Herfatherhadtoldherabouttheskiesovertheislands.Ritadidn’tmindthattheskiesinPittsfieldwereathinandwateryblue,butjustonceshewantedtoseetheskiesthathadfilledthosebeanswiththewarmthofthesun.
"Doyoulikecoffee,younglady?"
"Notreally.It’snotsweet.Ipreferchocolate."
"Pity."
"Itsmellsnice,though.Andtheseonesdefinitelysmellbestofall,"Ritasaid.
"Ah,thenthere’shopeforyouyet.Whatdoyousay,caretotakeovermyshopwhenIretire?"
Rita’sfather,whountilthenhadn’tlookedupfromthecoffeebeans,interrupted."Don’tputanyideasinherhead.Weneedsomeonetocarryonthefarm,andshe’sallwe’vegot."
"Thenmaybeshecanfindapromisingyoungboyorgirlformetopassonmyshopto,eh?"
"Idon’tknow,I’llthinkaboutit,"Ritaansweredwithindifference.
Herfathersetdownthebagofcoffeehe’dbeenadmiringandkneeledtolookRitaintheeye.
