The Coffee Shop - Ch. 1
Marcie
By KAD
A/N -
As I was lying in bed after my recent medical journey, I reflected on the past and the fun I used to have with friends just sitting with having a cup of coffee. Then the thought came to me. What would it have been like to start all over again as a young student in my undergrad enjoying life all over again?
I invite you to join me in a fun little adventure of fictional short stories about life in a coffee shop.
For as long as I can remember, Mom and Momma pushed for excellence in academics from the three of us. My sister Michaela and my brother Francis were consummate bookworms. They both were straight A students in high school and both were offered scholarships to several prominent universities in the local area. Michaela, a caring kind woman, was going to thrive in healthcare and Francis technology. His face is always buried in a book, a laptop or his iPad.
Me? I was "finding my way."
Sure I was a good student in high school, never letting Mom and Momma down, which would be so embarrassing. I was a B student but had no interest in the sciences, mathematics, or education or technology. I did love literature, history and music. Art was something I thrived and excelled in. I would sit for hours doodling and just drawing what I saw in front of me.
By the time graduation rolled around I had not signed any letters of acceptance for the schools I had received letters from. Without really a care in the world, I secretly had registered to attend our local community college. This thought had come from the guidance counselor who at least suggested that the cost per credit would be less and I could focus on the core educational requirements knowing they would transfer to at least five schools in the area.
So with that decision and engaging in a significantly tiring conversation with Mom and Momma and explaining to them that I was serious and would eventually become an adult, I received their support.
So, I guess I should explain Mom and Momma and our family dynamics. I am certain you have picked up on it but I will expand a bit.
I am the oldest of the three children for my amazing, beautiful and so supportive Moms. Yes, my mothers are lesbians and married many years ago once legalized but have been together since their college days. My Mom had me and Momma gave birth to Michaela and Francis all three of us from the same anonymous sperm donor. We were told he was a professional, well-educated and was an extremely successful athlete and entrepreneur.
It was early August when there were a plethora of hugs and kisses as Momma and Michaela left for Chapel Hill and UNC. An offer she couldn't refuse in scholarship monies and the school. She promised to text or FaceTime every day. As they pulled out of the driveway I can't say there were tears in my eyes but I will admit there was a vacancy, a void now in my heart and my life.
Francis is attending CMU for his undergraduate degree focusing in Computer Engineering and Mathematics. We were close enough with living in Shadyside that he would stay at home. At least I would have my little brother to hang out with.
***
I walked onto campus for the first time as an official student and was greeted with the excitement and unknowns like so many others. ENG 101, ACCT 103, and HIST 105, Mid-American History, were my first semester classes. Boring and mundane but required. I had a late afternoon class that I decided to take, MUS101! Classical Music Theory, that excited me.
As I finished HIST, I had a few hours to waste and with no desire to go home before my Music Theory class. In an attempt to take in the whole college experience I walked into the coffee shop just a few blocks from campus.
Ohh the aroma, the feel, the warmth, and the vibe of this place just really spoke to me. There was some ambient music playing in the background. I likened it to what you would hear in a yoga or Ti Chi studio. I walked to the counter and ordered a house blend. When the woman behind the counter asked if it was here or to-go, I immediately responded. She smiled and suggested I have a seat and she would bring it out to me.
It was only a few moments later when I watched her from behind the counter walk towards me carrying a rather large dark red, almost maroon, ceramic mug. She held a plate in the other hand with what looked to be a scone on it.
"Her dear" Marcie placed my coffee and the scone down." Have a scone, they are Wolfie's afternoon batch, and it's on the house. I hope you enjoy cinnamon."
Before I could thank her, the bell above the door sounded. She smiled once more than turned and walked away behind the counter tending to others who had just walked in.
I must say that the flavor of the coffee, the warmth and taste of the scone set my mind at ease as I drifted off into a peaceful place taking in the soft ambient sounds and the little background noise of this coffee shop.
My phone pinged, bringing me out of my daydream. Pulling it from my packet, I saw it was Michaela. We exchanged messages as I enjoyed the scone and sipped from this heavy mug.
"Mich,
I could get used to this."
I sent it to Michaela.
"
???
" She responded.
"
This coffee shop near CCAC god it's cool"
A few minutes later with my coffee and scone gone, I looked at my watch realizing I had been there almost 40 minutes. I decided to head back to the library to get ahead of my studies.
Walking my mug and plate to the counter, I didn't see the woman readily available. I placed them in the bin.
"Thank you!" I called out hoping she would hear me and walked out the door heading back to campus.
I didn't have class on Wednesday, I just hung out around the house and lazy around the backyard grabbing as much late summer sun as I could reading and listening to music mostly. The typical discussion with Mom occurred when she gave me the look when I strolled back inside topless.
"I don't like tan lines Mom."
She replied, "I don't need the police called as my daughter runs the streets naked."
