My oldest friend (we almost literally were born together) just recently started working at a coffee shop. Since you could have noticed by now, I’m a coffee lover (or maniac if you wish). She told me to come visit any time, which oddly enough I hadn’t. Yesterday I decided it was D day, plus I felt like I could pick up a little inspiration to do some more writing on other things. Anyway, as I walked in I didn’t see her, just the rest of her coworkers. Then, as I was ordering on the counter she appeared and told me to wait 5 min for her break.
As I did, I went to sit on one of the tables next to the delivery area. I sipped on my drink and just watched people go by. I had experienced it before, but this time I payed closer attention to the expressions on people’s faces. Genuinely, it took another meaning to the phrase “let’s go grab a cup of coffee and I’ll tell you” or “let’s talk about it over some coffee” and so on. People come to these places and let go of all their worries to anyone they know who is willing to listen. It was so amazing to see their different expressions: angst, surprise, happiness, sadness. An entire whirlpool of feelings at a simple coffee house.
Finally my friend got her break time and sat with me, sipping on her own latte. We started talking about her day and mine and so on. All of a sudden in the distance I saw one of our old high school classmates (a very good friend of hers at the time). We said our hellos, and I noticed it: THE big difference. There were no definite, meant expressions on our faces. The three of us just stood there politely as if kicking an imaginary rock. There was nothing for us to share. And I realized, coffee, coffee places are not just to enjoy the drink; you go there to share your life with the ones you have commonalities with; with the ones you trust enough to let go.
So yes, our paths crossed once upon a time, but now? Now there were other people we would let go with at a coffee place.