Woman in the Red Coat
I was standing in the line of the coffee shop, mentally preparing the conversation I would have with the barista. I’m always nervous in social situations. I do not converse easily with others. I knew she’d say good morning, then ask me how I am, followed by what I would want. I had to make sure I said quickly, good morning, fine, and a decaf americano. She would give me a funny look, and then ask me why decaf. I’d laugh and pay quickly so I didn’t have to explain that caffeine is the drug of choice of most people and I can’t buy into that concept. As the person in front of me finished their order, I took a deep breath and walked up to the counter. I waited for the girl to speak but instead, she turned around and had a coffee cup in her hand. She smiled, “your decaf americano sir” and she placed it on the counter when my hand didn’t reach out for it. I stood stunned and started to bumble, “thank--you, um, good morning, or thank you.” I reached into my back pocket but immediately dropped it on the floor. As I scrambled to pick it up she started to giggle. When I popped back upfront of the floor she spoke again, “it’s paid for by that lady over there” she pointed to a woman in a red coat. I gulped, and pulled a five-dollar bill out of my wallet, and put it in the tips jar. I smiled and grabbed the cup, and turned towards the woman in the red coat.