The Red Sofa

I enter the building and the smell of exotic coffee flavors washes over me. Immediately I am greeted by the employees that are behind the counter. One of them has an indie alternative type of style look and smiles. I will call him Josh. The other employee doesn’t say one word to me but just has a placid look plastered on his face besides the slight smile lingering there. He looks like a Nick so I will call him that. He waits while I look at what I want to order. I tell him that I’m going to need a minute and from a glance I just see him make a hand gesture as if to say “I got you.” I place my order and realize that I don’t have my wallet which is in my car. I leave and come back to see my coffee waiting there for me. Still the cashier doesn’t say one word to me. I find a table for me to sit at and immediately beginning typing. The vibe I get from this place is really rustic and has an informational side to it considering the political news station playing on the radio.

There are two gentlemen sitting next to me. Both of them look to be in their later forties or early fifties. To the right of me sit two younger girls who seem to be in a study group for one of their classes. Across the room from me is a lone girl who seems to be studying or doing homework. From now on I will call the two older men Robert and George. Robert and George seem to be professors, businessmen but maybe even students. Both of them have notepads in front of them. Both scrawling across the page and constantly looking back and forth on their tablets. I’m slightly confused on what to make of these gentlemen because they haven’t said much to each other but seem to be doing something related.

The two younger girls I will call Samantha and Ashley. They are both still at it going away at homework, Samantha hunching over the table trying to figure something out and Ashley sitting her legs crossed facing her friend with her back against the arm rest. All was calm until Samantha gets a phone call. By the way that Samantha is speaking all excited it seems that the person on the other line is a friend because her voice keeps getting louder and louder! Then Ashley joins in the conversation and they both start getting excited. I can’t make out what they are saying but it seems like they are packing it up getting ready to go.

Meanwhile the lone girl who I will call Megan is still studying away. Robert just got up to refill his coffee or put more sugar and George keeps on working. The first employee Josh just came from the back without his apron on and comes up behind the lone girl, Megan. Megan immediately turns around with a smile on her face. This is surprising… it seems like they know each other. They start in happy conversation though I cannot make out what it is. I glance up from my keyboard and Megan looks up at me. I look back down trying to look nonchalant but then Josh looks back at me too! They look at each other and say something to one another but I don’t look up again. My first thought is that I have been found out, but they both go back to talking like nothing happened but I’m going to be more wary next time.

Josh goes to the back of the store and doesn't make an appearance for a while. Samantha and Ashley have left by now. Robert is walking back from refilling his coffee and I expect him to sit down at the table but he doesn't. He comes and sits on the red sofa that is practically right behind me. I’m thinking, “Oh great now he can see what I’m typing!” Luckily he gets up to look at the newspaper options that are laying on the table right in front of me. I think this is my chance since his back is to me! Since the table is at an angle with one of the corners touching the wall I push as hard as I can so the table I will be sitting in a slightly different direction and I can squeeze myself more between the wall and the table. I’m being successful for nobody is noticing… then the table got caught on one of the grooves of the tile. I make one last ditch effort and push and finally the table gives and I am able to scoot to hide my writing. Robert comes back and plop himself into the sofa. So now George is sitting by himself continuously doing his work, ever so often mumbling to himself and looking up in grave thought.

Another girl walks in and has an employee shirt on. The silent employee, Nick, keeps the placid smile on his face. She waves and greets him but to no avail. He still has said nothing. He does wave at her though so that’s a plus. Josh calls Megan over to ask her a question which she immediately gets up and goes to him. I am not completely sure if these two are couple or just friends. George continues to do his work, still mumbling to himself. Robert has gotten up from the red sofa and has gone to another table across the room in search of more newspaper articles there. Nick comes in from the back carrying his backpack and looks like he is about to leave considering all the other employees yelling good byes… even Robert reaching up to wave and say good bye when Nick sits down. I can hear Robert mumbling, “Oh I guess not then.” Does Robert know Nick? Nick didn't even acknowledge Robert. Nick still says nothing and goes on his phone.

All is calm for a while and nothing eventful is happening until Josh drops one of the oranges he is stacking in a bowl. The orange rolls across the counter, lands on the floor and rolls for a bit only to stop in the middle of the room. Only me, Josh and Nick see what happens. Josh starts laughing slightly at himself and Nick smiles but Nick doesn’t help him and pick it up… strange. After this moment 3 other customers come into the store so the orange is just left there. Waiting. All is busy while the employees start working to help the customers. George is starting to mumble rather loudly. The second customer is standing there waiting for his order to finish when Megan says hello to him. My god does she know everybody? His order is ready so he collects it and sits one chair away from Megan and they get into conversation. Josh has enough time to come to the front and pick up his orange. Nick is still sitting there on his phone. The boy talking to Megan gets up from his chair and makes a few more comments, says goodbye and then leaves. Megan then gets up to have a long conversation with Josh at the counter.

While that is happening George gets up and goes up to Robert on the sofa to show him something. George has his back to me but my god he is so close to me I can smell his cologne. I hear Megan say that she is going to head home and she heads back to her table. George then asks Robert if he wants to go someplace and Robert says yes. Megan is about to walk out the door while saying goodbye to all the employees but then looks straight at me, smiles and walks out. Maybe I have her for a class? George and Robert are leaving too but before they walk out the door Robert says goodbye to Nick for which I finally hear him talk. I guess these two really do know each other? They both say, “Have a good weekend!” All of my “friends” are leaving so I think I’m going to leave as well. We shall see what happens next time.