Coffee Talk 1

Perhaps the weather described his mood. Charlie sat on the patio set outside his favorite coffee shop, sipping on his lukewarm, frothy latte. He liked the silky texture of the drink; the taste of it was okay. He asked for an Almond Roca Soy Latte. He got something that resembled it. I guess I should have reminded the new guy on bar to make it with fresh espresso shots .The grey clouds rolled with a somber stride across the sky. The air was thick and humid. He felt his skin dampen. Charlie looked about and saw many people wearing summer apparel in hopes the weather would break into glorious sunshine. However, the clouds have been in the sky for two days now and it would be for another few more days until it would either clear up or become a storm. Please let it rain . . . I want it to wash away all the bad karma around me.

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It was raining as hard as it could on a Monday morning. Poor Charlie was sitting in his bed, watching his favorite show Ellen. He was enamoured with the show. It made him laugh from his gut; a sensation that eluded him for the last few years. He was able to smile a secret smile - no one likes to see Poor Charlie's smile. He watched as his favorite person in the world made people laugh, cry and feel good about him or herself. He watched, vicariously living each moment as if his own. He cried with a woman who won a lot of money and was given a new car. He bellowed an exciting scream as a famous actor candidly screamed as Ellen scared him in the bathroom. As he caught his breath, he looked outside and watched with serene calmness the raindrops hit his bedroom window ever so gently...

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"Can I have a venti, triple shot, half - caff, soy latte?"
"Sure, that was one grande, triple, half - caff soy latte?"
"No, I wanted a VENTI latte."
"Sorry 'bout that. So that was a venti triple soy latte."
"Make it half - caff too, please."
"Sure. Sorry about that. Was there anything else I can do for you today?"
"No, that's alright."
"Okay so your drink comes to five dollars."
"Really? I thought it would be more. Did you add soy to my order?"
"Yes I did, I 'forgot' to add soy."
"Oh, okay. Thanks."

Charlie grabbed his soy latte at the end of the bar. He smelled the steamed soy; it was very warm. He looked about the room to find his date - a young man of nineteen. I should not be dating younger men. He sat down by the window. It was a dark brown armchair that has been worn down but perfect to completely relax in.

The window had flecks of snow melting on it. The snow flakes were sparse. Charlie watched the snow. He loved how the snow moved as one. How alive and connected these flecks of water floated and made their way from the heavens and unto the ground.

He looked at his watch, Why did I agree to this date? He is nineteen!

The snow was all he could concentrate on. He watched and wondered how such a beautiful scene can freeze people on mountain sides? How the snow can mount higher and higher and yet melt at heat that was no warmer than 1 degree Celsius?

He kept thinking of these trivial facts as he waited for his date - as he waited for a young man that would want to make Charlie smile, please Charlie and want to enjoy Charlie's company. This was something that scared Charlie: he was going on a date with a man. He thought it was a phase but then he found the man in question to be charming, sensitive and handsome.

He sipped his latte and noticed it was gone. He also noticed it got darker outside. He also noticed that he wanted another latte and enjoy his thoughts and allow his mind to wander.

What he did notice but did not care to be sullen about was that the young man did not come that day.