a singular meaningful interaction

groceries,

groceries,

groceries-

not focused on you, or you, or you-

or the other living person over there;

starbucks?

a flashing green sign,

my feet stride over;

prepare to interact.

maybe put on a smile, for the show;

do i look OK? i just walked in from the rain-

think of what to say if they don't greet you first-

wait for the old man to finish paying...

and-

"Hello! How are you?"

quick, smile back

"i'm doing good, how are you?"

don't say anything too serious...

"Good! I like your hair."

...Wait.

Wait, you're thinking about me?

You, the other living person in this conversation-

the Starbucks barista,

sighing about the dried-up sharpies

and the unicorn frappuccino (that you're running out of the ingredients for)-

you are aware of me?

You see me as more than a customer?

I'm a person.

And so are you.

i don't think about the price-

(although maybe it's a little expensive)

after i pay,

and walk down to the end to wait for my drink;

i don't think about the drive home,

or the rain on the windshield

or the pain i was feeling earlier-

because of that one

singular meaningful interaction

that i will be thinking about

for the rest of the week.

thank you starbucks girl