Oldie

Here is something I wrote two years ago. Fuck, that's a long time.


It Started Over Coffee

They sat across from each other, both hands holding onto their respective styrofoam cups full of scalding distraction in case their conversation could only take them so far. That first shared cup of coffee could be one of many or the one and only.

They asked about each other’s lives, listening with cocked head, wide-eyes and a small smirk. Nodding when it was called for. Laughing when given the cue. Receptive to each other’s body language to no end. But that cup of coffee was not being surrendered. It was being held onto for dear life. Occasionally being carried up to meet a pair of lips. Never too far up to lose their gaze. Sometimes intent. Sometimes full of timidity. But never losing interest.

They reeked of a first date. It was formal, yet hopeful. Stories that were shared were told in sweeping gestures. Not revealing too much, but revealing just enough. Perhaps just what was needed to replace a feigned interest with something more genuine. More inviting. Alluring. It looked as if something could come of this innocent cup of coffee. Perhaps this was a relationship in the making.

“Tall non-fat latte.”

This simple phrase snapped me back into reality … my reality. And as I walked away clutching my own cup of coffee, I threw a last look over my shoulder at these two people taking a chance with each other, and wondered what 2008 had in store for them.




EDIT: So, I wrote this based on observation. Weirdly enough, I met the woman in my story about 6 months after this was written. She's a teacher, as well, and we happened to take the same professional development course at the same time. I knew it was her because I remembered her face well. Regarding this guy, there was no match. At least I know how the story ended.