My friend Kara writes:
7:30 a.m. BREW coffee shop, Fort Lauderdale
Up early cause my assignments were due yesterday.
Need a black coffee but there is a line for lattes.
Start working until the other customers have been served.
It's my turn.
From the distance I see a man pull up.
I rush to the counter to be first.
He walks in and, without hesitation, starts making fun of me.
Man: "You had to be first!"
Me: "Well, I have kinda been waiting. And it's just black coffee nothing fancy."
Man: "Don't worry. I have all the time in the world."
Me: "I can't say the same. I have so much work."
Man: "Yeah, but you don't have cancer." (And it's this tone of voice that says he does.)
Me: (Trying to think of something witty to diffuse the situation, but all I keep thinking is that he is right.)
I smile at him, noticing his wrist is wrapped in prayer beads. Casual beach attire, hat and flip flops. Makes me wonder how he is spending the day. It's a beautiful sunny, chilly morning and I have all the time in the world to enjoy it.
