They had arrived early. Matthias checked in. They watched his suitcase roll away on the carpet; he would pick it up in the States.
He turned to Anna:
Breakfast?
Yes, breakfast. Always breakfast, her favorite meal of the day. Their last meal together until she followed him to America in a few weeks.
There had to be a Paul, somewhere. There was always a Paul somewhere. They found a Paul, she found a table while he pulled out his last coins. He did not have to ask her what she wanted: a pain au chocolat, and one for him. Deux cafés: allongé for her, crème with two sugars for him.
They had their last breakfast Chez Paul together in Charles de Gaulle Airport, Terminal 2E. Cream on his lip and his hand on her knee. She kissed both and finished the crumbs.