Time Out

Where do you go for a little "alone" time? Probably not to a crowded coffeehouse. But here I sit, in the middle of rush hour. I hadn't treated myself to this delight in a long time, that I forgot about this late afternoon crowd. "Why am I here then", you ask? Again? Be as it is that was already part of this scene, but during the morning shift and among the caffeine driven early birds. I am by no means an early bird, but this was the designated meeting place. Here for round two because of the free wifi. Thats right... FREE. It hasnt been free since the place opened some eight years back, or so.  Free. I like free. I can do free. And if I remember my plug, I can charge my cell phone too. (and no one thinks twice about it)

It isnt exactly secluded... but no one bothers me. The line has since been to the door twice while sitting here, and the bathroom line makes you wonder why they dont have more than one restroom... or that you probably dont want to use it after 5pm. People look around while in line and see who else is in the room, and I try to smile when their gaze meets mine.

The down fall about coming in here alone... well, I get suckered in more easily. I try to stick to small and simple, but as you can see... I ended up with grande and brownie cookies. They aren't really brownie cookies, but chocolate-chocolate chip warmed up... close your eyes and your taste buds don't know the difference. The lovely barista comes around to check on me, and I admit, she was right. That is how my simple turns into splurge.

Then reality sets in, and I realize that I don't really want to be alone. Let me rephrase that, I don't want to be alone here. Right about the time my computer chimes in to tell me that the downloads I've been working on, (yes, all day) have failed. Now I really wish my sister or husband was here to gripe to. Only to take another bite of the chocolate heavenly, a sip of my Caramel Macchiato, look outside and see its raining.

The line has died down, but not the noise and my laptop is covered in crumbs. I see faces I haven't seen in years, and realize not a whole lot has changed in this small little town. Friends and colleges still meet over coffee. Afternoon pick-me-up for some is a skinny vanilla latte, and no one cares that they drink their whole cup of coffee in a to-go cup, with out going anywhere.

My phones ringing... that's my que... I'm being summoned out of my time out.