— Aunt Sophie! We’re so thrilled to see you again! — exclaimed a blonde young woman. — All year, we’ve been reminiscing about your cozy little restaurant. You know, I’m always amazed by your optimism. How do you manage to stay so cheerful and full of life? I’m Clara! Do you remember me?
— Hello, my dears! — a warm woman in her forties smiled broadly, embracing her guests. — So good to see you again! Have a seat! Today’s lunch is borscht with garlic rolls, my signature dish!
Sophie didn’t let on to the charming blonde that she didn’t remember her at all. She was used to every guest assuming they were unforgettable, especially those who had visited a year or two ago.
Sophie had lived her entire life in a small coastal village. As a child, she fished with her father, earning the nickname “Fisherwoman Sophie.” After culinary school, she worked as a cook in a restaurant before taking a leap to open her own diner.
Business flourished. Within a few years, her modest diner transformed into a cozy restaurant known for its delicious homemade cuisine. Sophie poured her strength, optimism, and youth into it.
The years slipped by unnoticed. Before she knew it, her fortieth birthday arrived. Now, Sophie gazed at her creation with a pang of sadness. Beyond this restaurant, she had nothing—no partner, no children.
Sophie was a striking, beautiful woman. Yet, she dismissed the advances of visiting suitors as fleeting summer flings. She knew most of these “bachelors” had wives and children waiting back home. So, she guarded her heart.
— Sophie! Sophie, darling! Sing your favorite song! — the guests pleaded, anticipation in their eyes.
Sophie smiled, picked up her guitar, and began a romantic ballad about a fisherman and his love, a fisherwoman. It told of how he never returned from a stormy fishing trip, leaving the woman to wait on the shore, hoping to spot his familiar boat.
— Bravo! Bravo! — the guests clapped enthusiastically.
Sophie set the guitar aside, slipped into the kitchen, sat in a corner, and wept.
— Sophie, sweetheart! What’s wrong? I’ve never seen you so down, — the cook exclaimed, throwing up her hands.
— You see, the fisherwoman in my song at least had hope her love would return. But me? I don’t even have anyone to wait for…
— You need to get married, dear. It’s not good to live in loneliness and sorrow. When the tourists leave, what then? You’ll be miserable!
— Married to whom? — Sophie smirked. — It feels like there aren’t any single men left. Have you seen our guests? Every one of them is happily married. I should’ve thought about love when I was younger. My time’s gone, — she sighed heavily.
— Your time? Nonsense! — the cook laughed. — I believe you’ll meet your destiny!
Sophie gave a sad smile, wiped a tear, and returned to her guests. She sang, laughed, and entertained them all evening. But no one noticed the turmoil in her soul. They all saw her as the strong, cheerful, driven woman she appeared to be.
Long past midnight, the music in the seaside cafés faded. The guests dispersed to rest. Sophie closed her restaurant, sat at a table, poured herself warm tea, and savored the silence.
— Is anyone there? Why’d you close so early? — Sophie heard a loud knock at the restaurant door and an irritated male voice.
— We’re closed! — she snapped. — Come back tomorrow!
— Please, open up! I spent two hours searching for your famous restaurant. I was hoping to try some homemade food. Please… — the man pleaded.
Sophie relented and opened the door for the hungry stranger.
— Come in, but make it quick! — she warned. — I’ll set the table.
Watching the burly man devour her borscht with gusto, Sophie couldn’t help but laugh.
— Don’t they feed you at home? — she teased, smiling at the guest.
— Forgive me, but I’ve never tasted borscht this good! — he said sincerely. — I’d give anything to the woman who’d cook like this for me!
— Oh, let’s hope your wife doesn’t hear that! She’d have your hide! — Sophie laughed.
— No wife. Never had one…
— Sure! I forgot, everyone here’s a bachelor! — she quipped.
— I’m not lying! I’m a fisherman, not a tourist. Name’s Steven. And you’re the famous Fisherwoman Sophie, aren’t you? — he grinned.
— That’s me…
A year passed. Clara and her husband approached their favorite restaurant. In the small coastal village, everything was as it always had been—nothing had changed.
— “Fisher’s Haven!” — Clara read aloud. — Wait, what happened to “Fisherwoman Sophie”?
— Maybe Sophie sold the place? — her husband shrugged.
Just then, soulful music drifted from inside. A haunting duet—a man and a woman—sang the familiar ballad of the fisherwoman and fisherman.
— Aunt Sophie! That’s her voice! — Clara exclaimed, delighted.
Entering the restaurant, Clara saw Sophie with a man. The striking couple sang beautifully, captivating the entire room, silencing chatter and clinking dishes.
— Aunt Sophie! We’re so thrilled to see you again! — the blonde cried. — Why’d you rename the restaurant?
— I used to be alone, but now Steven and I are together. And next year, we’ll be three! — Sophie smiled, patting her rounded belly. — That’s why we renamed it “Fisher’s Haven.”
Sophie embraced her beloved husband, glowing with joy. For the first time, the guests saw a spark in her eyes they’d never noticed before. Or rather, it had never been there.
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