A Sip of Morning Tea

Interruption

Chapter 2

A loud blare of car horns sounds out almost simultaneously as I watch the bustle of pedestrians cross a busy street. Joggers and bicyclists making their own paths as they maneuver through the sea of legs all scrambling to get to their weekday destinations.

“A village of the lost” I thought, as I sipped my morning herbal essence. A blend of dried herbs soaked in boiling water to wake up the senses of the mind. I sat at my usual window seat staring out while enjoying the warmth that soothed my throat.

The coffee shop has always had a revolving door during the weekdays especially in the morning, but the seats always remained empty. Empty as human life would prefer the fast blur over a moment of stillness. About a year ago I inadvertently stumbled upon the stillness, the silence of the mind, a realm of inner calm and a world of dormant emotions that I will touch upon another time.

As I sip my tea, I hear the frustration from customers barking at the baristas demanding orders even too complicated for the most sophisticated of minds. There should be a contest for the most creative and complicated drink order, one labeled “the most asinine beverage”. Yea I judge, as I feel some do these shenanigans not to challenge individuals to gain a positive experience, but to invoke the jerk-ism of it all, the audacity!

Anyway, the baristas are scrambling to fill these orders and look as if they may quit at any moment. I wouldn’t blame them, to be honest.

“Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?” My observing thoughts came to a screeching halt as I was interrupted by a raspy tone. My glance found its way to a man hovering over me in dark denim jeans, a white puffer coat, and a black wool hat while tightly clasping a clipboard and a pen. My left eyebrow raised as I knew instinctively where this was going but before I could form my full lips into a no, the spiel began to make waves in the key of raspy.

“Hi, my name is Raul, I am from the local community center and we are in need of your help!”

As he continued on, I wondered why specifically my help? Out of all the people in this coffee shop, why am I the lucky candidate to hold the weight of this community centers existence on their shoulders?

“…so how much can I put you down for to help support the cause?”

I’m pretty sure solicitation is prohibited in most establishments no matter how well intent but who am I to spout off the rules and regulations of my favorite caffeinated dispensary, so I decided to go with a more direct approach.

“No thank you!”

The man seemed a little irritated, but he was not giving up. He went on about how he could take my credit card information and set up a supportive payment. I guess boo, boo the fool was printed on my forehead as this man is under the impression that I am one.

At this point my tea was getting cold and my patience was being tested. The owner of the coffee shop must have noticed as she came rushing over to direct him out before I could invoke a more colorful no. Of course, he was upset for a moment until he saw another potential person standing outside the doors.

“Could I get you a refill on that tea?”, the owner asked. She knows I am a regular and is very aware that I hate cold tea unless I specifically ask for it iced. Oh shit, am I an asinine customer as well? Nah! I nodded yes as she took my cup and scurried behind the counter.

A few moments passed and the barista returned with a fresh cup of orange blossom tea with lemon.

As the steam from the cup danced its way into the atmosphere of the shop, I noticed the hustle of the morning began to die down. Puffer jacket guy is now a distant memory, the baristas have some time to exhale, and I am back at peace in my myriad of thoughts as I look out the window once again.

“Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?”

Oh, dear lawd not again!

To be continued…