Coffee Break

A fictional short story.

While visiting another city about 40 miles up the road from where I live, I had to wait for an hour to see a man I wanted to talk to about business. 

I went next door to one of those hoity-toity coffee shops. I'd never been in one before. They were apparently upset that I just wanted a simple, good, cup of coffee; not one that was a work of art, or made from exotic beans imported from the red sands of Mars or some-such, just a good cuppa joe. Eventually I convinced them and got what I wanted. 

As I turned from the counter, I could see that there was only  one table occupied. An elderly man, about my age sat all alone with his cup of coffee placed squarely in front of him as though it were his passport and allowed him to be in this alien land.

I walked over to him, smiled and said, "Since this place is so crowded, do you mind if I sit here?"

He nodded and waved his hand at the seat opposite him. I sat down. For the next hour he and I exchanged words over our coffees - we both had two more - and if I told you now what we said, I'd be lying. I don't remember a bit of it. It was just social blather. The kind that us older folks are quite skilled at because we didn't have electronic gadgets attached to us like some kind of almost Borg creatures as we grew up.

It was the most pleasant hour of my last three weeks. I may not remember what was said, but I'll never forget what was communicated.

I have a new friend. I may never see him again but I know for certain that he is my friend forever. And I his.

Author's Note

Reviewers: Please critique everything.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

To participate in something real like this is the sort of thing I savor, also. No electronic gadgets for me--I want to communicate the way we have for eons, and drinking some good coffee while doing it is icing on the cake. Some would see us as dinosaurs, but I think they're the ones who are missing out.

[D Muller]

The environment you sketch is precious and not often found anymore. I get where you are coming from based on the reviews before this and will just appreciate it in that light

[Marie]

You did a good job writing this. I critique for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and you made no mistakes. This piece didn't have a plot, but I guess it wasn't meant to.

[Scribblerlarry]

Exactly right! This was written as an exercise in writing to hold readers' attention with the writing alone as opposed to with a captivating tale of high interest or adventure. What I wanted, and on another site where I first published it, I got, was a reaction of, "THIS IS FICTION??!" in a disbelieving tone of voice. Thanks for your comment ;-)
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[Marie]

It doesn't sound like fiction but has a tone of reality about it.

[Scribblerlarry]

I'm about to post one that will drive you up the wall..... ;-)