Ten years ago, while they were still in high school, they had a spot they hung out in all the time. A coffee shop tucked away in a shopping center no one ever visited. The place did a lot of business in the morning because it was near a large office building, but by afternoon it was almost always empty. It was a perfect excuse to sit in the back corner and cuddle without interruption.

When they broke up, he never went back. What was the point? One, it reminded him of her, and two, he didn’t drink coffee.

She kept going back. It had been one of her favorite spots before they started dating and she was determined not to let him ruin that for her. It took a few years, but the memories faded and once again it became just a place she went for coffee.

He’s moved on. Dated dozens of other women and probably slept with ten times that many. Even got engaged to one of them…even though that didn’t turn out so well and damaged his professional life irreparably.

She married her childhood best friend…and divorced him when she found out he was sleeping around. Not that they would have lasted long anyway when he came out of the closet.

They’re in their late twenties now and haven’t spoken since before they graduated. A mutual friend has brought them back together and the reaction is like oil in water. Or maybe more accurately, ice in a hot deep-fryer.

He remembers the way they broke up and expects she’s still the childish little girl who was so strung out on over-the-counter pills she thought it was better to be abandoned in the middle of no where than get a ride back home.

She believes she’s changed, and doesn’t understand why anyone would hold onto something for ten years. Except maybe the regret she has over how she left things. That’s different.

When things come to a head between them, and decade old wounds are re-opened without any resolution, both of them storm out.

She heads to the one place she’s always gone for comfort. The little coffee shop tucked away in the shopping center no one ever visits unless it’s morning and they want a cup of coffee or other excuse to delay being in the office.

He drives. He always drives when he’s pissed off. He ends up in a shopping center that looks familiar, but there’s no way that’s the same coffee shop. That place never did any business. Still, he’s mired in memories mingling with present day and wonders if maybe it’s time he moved on with his life. He hopes going inside will provide closure and resolution.

She looks up with the door opens, and decides she’s going to be sick.

He sees her in the back of the shop and almost turns around and walks back out.

The barista is oblivious to the tension in the air and greets the second customer who’s been in all day with enthusiasm. Asks him what he’ll have.

She doesn’t look at the barista, but orders without thought. Italian soda with cherry, no cream. The cream makes the cherry taste funny.

He finds himself sliding into the seat across from her, even though he can’t explain why, and for a few moments they just stare at each other. The moment is broken when his drink arrives. She starts to pay, but he stops her and slides a five across the table. Tells the barista to keep the change.

He breaks the silence. After all, he was there for closure and resolution.

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Fiction is made up of a series of coincidences. It helps if they’re at least in part driven by the actions of your main characters, but sometimes they just happen. However, if the pieces didn’t all fall into place, you wouldn’t have a cohesive plot.

Are you conscious of the coincidences laced in your stories and others’?