Wednesday Study Day?

            Once again, there are a lot of people in the Coffee Shop. It is to the point where I am forced to sit close to the counter. But that is also do the rearrangement (yes, again). The two long tables are in the center of the main area and the recliners ring the perimeter. It must be so they could add the two tall tables to the area. Before, there were only two tall tables, one of which I always sat at. These four tables are now in front of the fireplace next to the counter. I like them in this spot. The light above me is not so bright and I have an even better view of the area I usually sit and the small alcove next to the bar on the north side of the shop.

            I am beginning to think that Wednesday nights are the busiest nights for the Coffee Shop in regards to students. The two long tables have three students watch sitting at them. All six of these students, mostly female students, work quietly as they sit together yet alone. There is no hum of conversation. Every student in the shop is silent.

            I have just noticed that there are about a dozen female students, give or take, in the shop, including the female barista behind the counter and two patrons who wait for their drink. They are athletic students by their dress. Though, one of these female students look as if she is about to leave, as does another student who occupies the short table that juts from the wall at the end of the ring of recliners on the north side of the shop.

            In one of the recliners, a student sits with a paperback book in his lap. Pen and highlighter in hand, he jots notes in the margins and on the lines and highlights important passages. Though, from this spot, I cannot see the nature or title of the book.

            Are Wednesdays the days to study? A mad dash to get work and assignments done before the weekend? Perhaps a mad dash to study for an end of the week quiz or test. Perhaps an exam in Astronomy if they have the teacher I had last semester.

            Oh, the long table was not a long table. Instead, it was two small tables pushed into one. Which means the three students sitting together were only two students with another student sitting at another small table. There is only one long rectangle table and one of middling length. All the rest are square tables for one person.

            Students are so intent on their school work that they do not talk to each other. Except for the two girls next to me. One was here when I arrived. She is since done with whatever she was working on and talking to her blonde companion. The girl who was here when I arrived has dark hair and I think I’ve had her in a class before.

            The only talk comes from the male barista. And now from two more patrons who’ve just come in. It quiets down again.

            The male barista cleans up a spilled drink. It does not seem to be a really big deal.

            Two more students take up positions in the recliners.

            It’s so crowded in here. Mainly students scattered about the room to the point that a new pair intent on finding a table for three cannot find a spot.

            Every time I have passed this place at other times in the week, I’ve never really seen it this busy. I know it is just a glance as I drive by, but there are times that I’ve had to stop at the light and those times have shown the Coffee Shop really empty from what I’ve seen. Tonight, the shop went from slow to busy within twenty minutes.

            The talking escalates to a point that it almost drowns out the music. Almost, but not quite.

            One thing is for sure, this place does not have to offer student discounts to get business.

            The only ones quiet now are the ones who are listening to their own music and sitting by themselves.