The Quiet Downtown

When Maya's company told her she could work from home three days a week, she was excited.

She would not have to take the crowded subway every morning.

However, she soon noticed something strange about her city.

The office buildings downtown were half empty, and many shops on the main street had closed.

Her friend Leo, who owns a small coffee shop near the station, said business had dropped by almost half.

"People used to buy coffee on their way to work," he explained.

"Now they stay home and make it themselves." Maya felt sad, but she also understood why her colleagues preferred working remotely.

They saved two hours a day on travel and spent less money on lunch.

Still, she worried about the future of the city center.

If nobody comes downtown, who will support the small businesses?

Last week, Maya decided to work from a coworking space near Leo's shop once a week.

She hopes that if more people do the same, the streets will slowly come back to life.