There is a small coffee shop/cafe on the next street over from my office. I can reach it by going out the back door of my office building, crossing the alley that runs through the middle of the block, skirting the trash bins and water puddles, walking the pathway that runs along the right side the shop itself, finally coming out on the street and in front of the cafe. Next month the plum trees in the alley will be in bloom...looking every bit like spindly young girls in white lace bonnets. I walk through the brisk wind with my coat open and whipping about me. I think I must look like a crow flapping its wings.
I love this cafe. Not only is it a nice break to get up and walk out of the office for a while, giving my eyes a rest from spreadsheets and correspondence and my ears a rest from the incessant phone...but its my own personal little "Cheers." Robert and Erin are the owners...they're thirty something...both married (to other people) and both with young children (born since I've known them). They were high school buddies. My co-worker and I were their first customers when they first threw open the cafe doors two years ago and we've nourished our mutual dependency on each other (me on their caffeine, and they on my measly few dollars) on a daily basis ever since.
As quickly as I can when I arrive at my office each morning I drop off my computer, and dump whatever office crap I dragged home the night before, grab my cup and head out across the alley. Its always all the same people and the occasional straggler or two who wander it. They have these delectable pumpkin muffins with cream cheese inside and struesel on top and Erin makes soup every day. Robert brews up (Erin says it just for me...she lies!) Starlight blend coffee...its a really gorgeous dark espresso roast that I adore. I love to hold a cup of it and let it warm my hands while my nose is buried in the aroma.
The shop is painted in terra cotta with a rag wash finish, the walls are adorned with beautiful and awful art by local artists. There are two huge rattan peacock chairs, plump cushions and hassocks. It's a comfortable, homey place.
Everyday I greet the regulars who bring their computers (Robert has installed wireless internet) and sit for hours. There are the groups of noisy office workers from the converted Victorians up and down the street. There are the three guys in the green uniforms...I don't know where they come from but they're there every morning and always stop their conversation to say hello and joke around a little bit. We are comfortable in the fact that we belong there.
There is Cliff...something is wrong with him...I think he may have been a meth addict. He is very sweet, but clearly has his problems. Robert and Erin let him grafitti the front sidewalk with chalk. He makes beautiful, elaborate drawings...they're fantastic really. Once a month, Ben (one of the regulars), his partner Owen, and their little dog Brooklyn, sell jewlery outside. I love to browse through it all and chat with them. Ben wants to choreograph musicals in New York City...Owen just wants to be with Ben. And Brooklyn is whore to anyone who will pet her.
Mid mornings my co-worker and I slip over and get yet another coffee and share a cigarette...out of the sight of our office. We generally meet up with the guys in the office across the street from the coffee shop who are sneaking away to have a cigarette out of the site of their office...and we huddle together to the side of the cafe...like highschoolers sneaking a smoke in the bathroom...laughing, joking, flirting. It makes me feel young.
Lunchtime, if I don't have errands or a meeting, I'll wander over for a cup of Erin's soup. It doesn't matter what kind it is...its always fantastico! Erin gives me a big chunk of focaccia to go with it and it warms me from the inside out. I'll sit at one of the outdoor tables and chat with whoever else is out there...and we'll watch the world go by on the street.
Today I spoke briefly with a homeless guy called Dominick. He had dreadlocks, a black beret, a black leather coat...and a necklace made of dice. I complimented him on his coat and he told me that his mother gave it to him for Christmas. He told me sheepishly that he was her only child and was a terrible disappointment to her living the way he does. So...to honor her he was going to take very good care of his coat. I congratulated him on his decision and gave him my coffee. He offered me God's blessing, I thanked him politely and he blew me a kiss. If I see him tomorrow I will buy him a scone.
Three O'clock or so I wander back over to the cafe each day for a cappuccino. Generally Erin and Robert have gone home for the day and one of younger twenty something crew are working. Alicia has a stud in her tongue and she likes to click it against her teeth in time to whatever CD is playing. She slips me bites of chewey macaroons dipped in dark chocolate. I love Alicia. Tiffany is new...a tiny little girl. She is still shy and seems confused by all our boisterous banter and insult slinging. She'll get used to it and will one of these days join right in.
This is MY cafe. Another extension of home.
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