He walks to a coffee shop, his usual place but a place he hasn’t visited in months. He approaches the counter, his eyes perusing the display of baked goods, some savory but most sweet, while his nose soaks in the aromas of roasted beans. A skinny, well-dressed and handsome young man is in a foray of movement, his arms twist and press the espresso shots he’s ground fresh. The young man looks over his shoulder and says, “I’ll be with you in just a second.” Upon seeing the protagonist’s face the young man blushes and smiles.
He finishes the drinks he’s making, places them on the counter and shouts. “Soy mocha latte, vanilla latte.” Two patrons grab their drinks and the young man comes to the register.
“I haven’t seen you in ages,” the young man says.
“I know. I’ve been through a rough patch but I’m happily back to my old routine, starting today. How are you Daniel?”
“Oh, you know, just working and lifting people up with my specialty: foam drenched stimulants.” Daniel smiles. “What can I get for you handsome fellow?”
It's the protagonist's turn to blush. “Just the usual, black coffee, house cup.”
“You haven’t been here for months and all you want is the usual? Tell you what, I’ll make you something special and it’s on the house. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like one hell of a surprise, one that won’t meet complaints. Thank you Danny.” They both smile.
“Coming right up!”
The protagonist sits at a corner table and opens his book: Written on the Body. He reads the first line: “Why is the measure of love loss?” His heart pangs against the words. He sets the book down and Daniel approaches with his drink.
He sets it down. "It’s an almond milk latte with a hint of raspberry and vanilla.” The drink has an artful flower made from the foam on the surface where there are flakes from a freshly crunched cinnamon stick. Daniel sits across from him and looks at him with a concerned look. He reaches across the table and puts a finger on the back of the protagonist’s hand. “Look hun,” he says, “if you ever need to talk, you can tell me just about anything.” The protagonist is speechless against Daniel’s kindness. Daniel smiles again and slips him a paper with his phone number written on it. Daniel stands. “Well, back to work. But really, I mean it, anytime, any hour, unless I’m stuck here, I'd be happy to listen.” Daniel returns to the counter where a line has quickly formed.
He finishes the drinks he’s making, places them on the counter and shouts. “Soy mocha latte, vanilla latte.” Two patrons grab their drinks and the young man comes to the register.
“I haven’t seen you in ages,” the young man says.
“I know. I’ve been through a rough patch but I’m happily back to my old routine, starting today. How are you Daniel?”
“Oh, you know, just working and lifting people up with my specialty: foam drenched stimulants.” Daniel smiles. “What can I get for you handsome fellow?”
It's the protagonist's turn to blush. “Just the usual, black coffee, house cup.”
“You haven’t been here for months and all you want is the usual? Tell you what, I’ll make you something special and it’s on the house. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like one hell of a surprise, one that won’t meet complaints. Thank you Danny.” They both smile.
“Coming right up!”
The protagonist sits at a corner table and opens his book: Written on the Body. He reads the first line: “Why is the measure of love loss?” His heart pangs against the words. He sets the book down and Daniel approaches with his drink.
He sets it down. "It’s an almond milk latte with a hint of raspberry and vanilla.” The drink has an artful flower made from the foam on the surface where there are flakes from a freshly crunched cinnamon stick. Daniel sits across from him and looks at him with a concerned look. He reaches across the table and puts a finger on the back of the protagonist’s hand. “Look hun,” he says, “if you ever need to talk, you can tell me just about anything.” The protagonist is speechless against Daniel’s kindness. Daniel smiles again and slips him a paper with his phone number written on it. Daniel stands. “Well, back to work. But really, I mean it, anytime, any hour, unless I’m stuck here, I'd be happy to listen.” Daniel returns to the counter where a line has quickly formed.