SOL11...Starbucks

Starbucks

     I opened the outside door and was immediately hit with a rush of warmth air. The air outside was warm, so I wasn't expecting it. I opened the second door, letting me into the building, and was overwhelmed by the smell of coffee in the air. I rarely drank coffee, but for some reason the smell was still enticing to me. It made me feel welcome and relaxed. I held the door open for Jr. to follow in behind me, and as he went to find us seats, I got in line. I could hear orders being yelled out, beans being crushed, mixers spinning. Bob Dylan was playing in the background. I smiled, feeling at rest. 

     I've never been the type that's able to get work done at home. I just feel way too distracted there. Since high school, I've either hid out in the library or a coffee shop of some sort. It was the only way I was able to get anything accomplished. Coming through these doors, the doors I've entered a million times, it felt like coming home. There were weekends I sat here for hours on end, either reading, writing, or in more recent years, grading. It was one of the only places I was able to focus, which many friends and family found ironic seeing as how loud and chaotic it often was. 

     As I moved up in line, I browsed the different options. I almost always got the same drink, Black Iced Tea Lemonade, but occasionally I added a sandwich or a muffin to the order. I bit my lip as I contemplated the options. It was early, and I'd only had a small bowl of cereal for breakfast. Should I add a sandwich to my order? Or maybe get a parfait or some sort? Jr. bumped into me as he got back in line next to me. 

"Want to go to Panera for lunch after this? They've got WiFi there too, we can just keep working there."

     I turned and smiled, "Just in time! I was trying to talk myself into getting food here, but Panera is perfect." He nodded and started rattling off food options from Panera. It was making me hungry. I realized we could have just gone to Panera in the first place and I could be eating right now, but I'd also been looking forward to getting my tea from here all morning. Before I could contemplate my options any longer, I heard a woman yell, "Next!" I looked up and realized I was next. I hurriedly rushed forward and smiled as I repeated my order for her. 

     I moved aside and waited as Jr. placed his order. He ended up getting the same drink as me. As he paid, I turned and moved back toward our seats. The place was pretty packed, so there weren't many table options that would fit both our laptops. Jr. had put our stuff on the comfy chairs in the corner, which was fine with me. I didn't necessarily need a table yet for anything, so my laptop could sit on my lap as I worked. If we planned to spend a few hours here though, I'd definitely need to move to a table eventually. 

     As I dug around in my bag pulling out my laptop and charger, I kept one ear listening to orders being called out. There were three people who had ordered in front of me, so I had a few minutes to get myself organized. Once I'd plugged the charger into the wall next to me, I sat down in the chair and got my laptop booted up. As I waited for the home screen to load up, I looked around the room, taking stock of the people around me. There were a couple college aged guys in one corner with laptops out and open, an older man sitting at the table closest to me reading the paper, a group of girls chatting, and a few more people scattered around on their own working. I watched as another man came and said hello to the one nearest me. As they were chatting, one of the baristas passed by waving to both of them. 

     Suddenly, I felt a cold burst of air as the door next to me was opened. It dawned on me then why the heat ran full blast as you walked in. It was a cold breeze! As the door closed, two little boys ran in with their mom trailing after. The boys ran up to the register pointing at different treats they would get. It was chaos in here, but it was controlled chaos, if that made any sense. I smiled contently as I logged in and opened up my documents. I was ready to get started.