Coffee Crazed pt 3

Walking into the shop I realized two things, the same employees must work every Sunday, and they have come to know my name as I have been there the past 3 weeks. As I ordered my usual coffee and sat back in my spot I observed a Caucasian father and a son walk in. they spoke of how their favorite football team had just lost and they talked about the statistics of the players like it was elementary math to them. They stood in front of the bar, and instead of acknowledging the employee, (who happened to be the strict manager) bickered over who should be the new head coach. Finally the employee spoke up again and asked for their order. They placed their orders, got their drinks and walked out immediately.

           

The amount of students doing homework was less than usual. However there was one man, who seemed to be dressed far too properly, that was reading what seemed like multiple textbooks at once. His eyes shot back and forth as I could see a coffee cup and an empty espresso shot cup and I assumed that was why he had such spastic eye movements. Throughout the time I was there I must have seen him go to the bathroom at least 5 times.

           

The couch that was filled up by the hefty man last week, was taken by two older women in scrubs, who were gossiping and it didn’t take long for me to realize it was Martha and Jan from two weeks ago. However instead of gossip about what I assumed was their families, they seemed to be talking about work. As if, they only gossiped about their work problems while they were in their work clothes, and only discussed other things when they were in normal clothes such as two weeks ago. Now, instead of coffee the duo drank large green teas.

            

A little girl, maybe 8 years old, ran in the door, and jumped excitedly to the bar. She was eager to order when her mothers, with cell phone in one hand and baby carrier in the other approached the glass door. I quickly jumped up and opened the door for her and she had the warming smile of a mother to thank me. I immediately heard a thick Latin accent and as I returned to my seat I could hear her softly scolding her daughter and apologizing to the manager. Even the ever so strict manager lady couldn’t help but smile at the cute little girl. The mother ordered a coffee and the little girl got a hot chocolate. They left soon after they got their drinks.

            

The employees all seem tried today, as they don’t even acknowledge each other, they simply do as their told and drag their feet behind the counter. One man in the corner of the shop has his head down on the table in front of him and seems to have nodded off. As I leave Martha and Jan continue to talk and the aroma of coffee soon fades as I shut the door.