what I see
- A couple sitting outside, very intently engaged. She has a quizzical look on her face often changing between compassion and confusion. She isn’t talking very much, just listening. He is drinking from a travel coffee mug adorned with a rox shox sticker and a carabeener. On his backpack is a bike lock with the brake handles from a mountain bike hanging beneath the lock. At one point, he gently pulls the hair back on her head and whispers something into her ear. She smiles.
- Two women sitting next to me, one with papers and folders. She’s intent on making sure that her counterpart knows that she is being honest and is shooting things straight. She has said at least 5 times in the past 5 minutes “I’m going to be as honest as I can be.” The other lady is shaking her head in agreement, yet is very timid and anxious.
- A guy sitting outside, reading a large book (like a coffee table book), drinking coffee, and stroking his beard. He occasionally looks up to see what is going on around him, but not for long. He just put his yellow rain jacket on, and is getting up to leave. His pace is quick and with a goal in mind.
- A dad with three girls who all appear to be 2-3 years old. Prior to sitting down, the dad pointed very sternly at one of the girls, whom I am assuming is his daughter, and in a raised voice said “I’m going to get a straw, listen to me, I’m going to get a straw.”
Me. Sitting at a table, a cup of water, a half-full americano, an empty cookie plate, a computer, bag, and phone. I’m reading and writing about people outside this cafe when I’d much rather put my things away and sit with each of the people I’ve described here, and listen to their stories. I’d rather fantasize about them, their conversations, their longings and why they are here. What is it that they are looking for
