The Writer And The Coffee Shop

The coffee shop was bustling, a little bit busier then I usually like. However it was part of my routine, I needed to get out and I had made myself a promise. I promised myself that I would write in different places and not become a hermit, so every Tuesday here I sit and write. I’m beginning to think I should not have made such a promise, it’s distracting and with all of this noise I might not get what I want done.

However, I sighed and reminded myself, the coffee is amazing. Also the back ground music is not too loud, and to be honest most of the time I can think and create in my head and not be bothered with things going on around me.

A frown crept across my face as I remembered my immediate disappointment when I walked in today, my corner table was being used, so I had to find another one. It was not as I like it, people could walk behind me and move around me and it was more of a distraction. Then reminding myself sharply, if I wanted everything to be perfect I would have stayed at home. I was nit picking and stalling and I knew it. It was a break in my routine, and I didn’t always accept disruptions well, especially in my writing routines.

I take a deep breath, relax my shoulders and let the breathe out slowly and smile to myself. Even I’m sounding a little more cranky then usual in my head. This was a gift and I needed to remember that. Not many can afford to just take time away and be a writer, this is a blessing and a gift! So snap out of it and let your mind focus on the project at hand.

I pulled out my laptop and the notes that I had scribbled down last night. A new middle section had come to me as I was about to drift off to sleep, it solved my bump in the road that had stalled my progress for days. My character had run into a problem and I didn’t know how to solve it, hmmmm note to self , I probably should do some further planning a head.

I had only been typing a few minutes when I heard a voice out of nowhere. “Hmmmmm, I don’t know about that. Are you sure that makes sense?” I stopped and took a deep breath. Perhaps if I say nothing the voice will realize I’m working and I don’t wish to be disturbed. I straightened my back and continued to type.

It didn’t last long and I paused, something nagged at me. I stopped, barely keeping the grumble inside my head and reread what I wrote.

Ok, I see what I did wrong there, I had the words in my head and my fingers were not fast enough to get them all down. Common mistake, however the help was not needed, I’m sure I would have caught it when I looked over it later. No need to say anything, I don’t wish to encourage a break in my work right now. Not to mention I have a lot more writing to do. I sighed again, however it would be rude to not at least acknowledge the help, even if it was not required. I am here to not become a hermit after all....

I looked up, expecting the unwelcome conversation. Nothing. No one was there.

I looked around, but no one seemed to be waiting for a conversation. Each person wrapped up in their own worlds. Feeling the slight heat in my cheeks, and then a strange feeling of disappointment. At least that’s what I think it was. I turned back to my laptop and shrugged. Probably just a nosy person looking over my shoulder, offering some passing advice, I muttered under my breath. I hate to admit it, I was trying to comfort myself.

I ran my fingers through my short chocolate brown hair and tucked it behind my ears. Adjusted my butt on the chair and wiggled around. Back straight, deep inhale and ready to focus again. No more distractions!

My fingers began dancing over the key board again. My eyes glued to the screen as the words unfolded. This was my happy place, everything pouring out, no stumbling, so easy.....

“That’s not right. It won’t make sense....” whispered another voice.

I stopped and looked up impatiently. My lips pursed together. My back straight and I slowly turned to look behind me.

The ladies at the table behind me were engrossed in their conversation. I stared at them intently and they stopped for a second and met my eyes. They looked confused and a little startled, as I stared at them. “Did you say something to me?” I asked slightly annoyed and ready to defend my work.

They looked at each other slightly confused and then back at me. They both slowly shook their heads, clearing their throats uncomfortably. “Ummm no....” muttered one lady. My expression immediately softened, mostly because I was embarrassed. And because I was not entirely sure where the voice had come from. Clearly it was not from them. And my temper had unfortunately gotten the better of me. I tried to reason with myself, This is why I like my usual table, no one can go behind me.

I attempted a softer smile to apologize. The ladies nodded slowly and returned to their conversation. I took another deep breath and looked around the cafe. Coffee, maybe grab some coffee. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me and I really had not heard anyone say anything to me.

I continued to look around the busy cafe and shook my head slightly, sighing and smiling. The place is really full, there are dozens of conversations going on and leave it to me to think anyone is paying any attention to me or my work. I really can be a Diva. I looked at my phone, I had been here longer then I thought and a break would be good.

As I made my way back to my table with a fresh coffee and a chocolate chip cookie, I looked around the cafe again. Still just as full, but the people are changing. As quickly as someone leaves, someone else scoops up the empty seats and settle in, some for a chat, a few with books and even some sitting together but each on their phones. The place is a buzz of activity.

I looked at what I wrote and soon my fingers began gliding across the keys, my energy renewed and the voices that surround me are drifting away. The words on the screen are flying, the story developing not only in front of me but it my mind. I see what my character is doing, how she is acting, it’s all so clear and flowing.

“You must really love that you can spend your days just hanging out like this....” broke in a sharp high voice.

I stopped writing. But caught myself this time. That person isn’t talking to you, keep writing. “Ignore, don’t look around” I told myself. My fingers returned to the keys.

“Must be something very important you are working on.” said the voice again, this time a little louder. Then the extra chair at my table moved out and an older woman sat herself down at my table. “I see you here each week and you are so busy on that computer of yours. I thought to myself if I saw you this time I was going to come over and see what you are doing.” She paused, waiting for my response. “So what are you doing?” she insisted as I still sat staring at her.

“Mom!” hissed a voice. And another woman rushed up to my table. She looked at me apologizing with her eyes. “I’m sorry to bother you. My mom....”

I smiled finally gathering my thoughts. I was impressed with this older woman’s boldness. “It’s alright.”

She was a tiny woman, but a fire cracker. Her hair was white, perfectly curled and her blue eyes sparkled but were razor sharp. She was very polished, beautifully dressed, flawless make-up and pearl glossed painted fingernails. Her daughter was very well styled, taller then her mother but you could see the day was taking it’s toll. Her golden blond hair was trying to escape its restrictive clip and her blue eyes looked more tense then sharp.

Her mother looked up at her daughter, smiling that ‘I told you so’ smile and then her sharp blue eyes looked at me. “So, what are you writing on that computer every week?” She looked me up and down. “You don’t look like a student, and you don’t look like a business woman either.” Her eyes staring intently into mine.

I blinked and looked away, then looked down. Note to self, perhaps a style update is in order.

Her daughter stood in shock, raised a hand to her forehead head and groaned, “Mom, you can’t say that! You don’t know if she is a student. And it’s not your business anyway.” Turning to me, “I’m so sorry, she has an opinion.....

“And I have a mouth of my own. I’m not a child, Becca! “ she snapped.

I sat looking at the two ladies, and could not help but smile. I thought this is mother’s and daughters at every stage in life. Becca looking at her mom and her mom looking up at her, the power struggle and yet the love between them was clear.

I cleared my throat and the ladies looked at me. “I’m a writer.”

“See Becca, I told you.” She smiled brightly. “Are you famous?”

I laughed. “Not yet. But someday I will be.”

She leaned forward, looking around as she did, “Do you write any of that trashy romance stuff??” she eyed me suspiciously.

Her daughter groaned again and glared at her.

She looked up at her, shrugging her shoulders, “It’s just a question.”

I worked at containing my laughter. I liked this woman, she was a force to be reckoned with and straight forward. It was a nice change to see in a world where so many people are afraid to say anything. I felt for her daughter though, I can imagine what it was like growing up in that house hold if her mom has always been this direct with people.

“No, that’s not what I write about.”

“Ladies your coffee’s are ready.” called out the barista behind the counter. Becca looked at the counter, and looked back at her mother, not sure if she should go and leave her mother unattended. However a second later her mother began to rise out of the chair indicating our conversation was over.

“Next week perhaps you could tell me more about what you are writing. I love to read. And it’s not good to spend all of your time staring at that screen, it will hurt your eyes. You should come here to talk to people as well. I’m Victoria, not Vicky or anything shorter. It’s Victoria. That is my daughter Becca. And you are?” she said extending her hand towering over me.

I quickly stood up and reached out to shake her hand and smiled, “Madison. And it’s not Maddy either.” I smiled trying to match her seriousness. She had a strong grip, although not really a surprise.

The older woman smiled as she let go of my hand, and turned towards the window. Victoria scanned the area for an empty table and found her target. She moved towards the empty table, almost defying anyone else to snatch it up. She moved slowly, but with a confidence you would not expect just looking at her. Becca had joined me and we watched her reach the table and get settled before Becca turned to me and said, “I’m sorry” she whispered.

I let a giggle slip and smiled at Becca. “Don’t be, she is great. We all need a dose of Victoria in our lives.”

Becca relaxed and let out a slight giggle too. “Some more then others!”

“Becca our coffee will be getting cold.” called out Victoria in a no nonsense tone.

Becca sighed, smiled and turned towards the counter, “I guess we will see you next week?”

I heard her giggle a bit as she walked away and I returned to my seat and stared at the computer screen. I had to admit it, that was a welcome break, abrupt, somewhat intrusive, but fun and a reality check. And Victoria is right, I promised to come here to not be a hermit, and that includes interacting with people.That was the part I had not really put into practice. She was the perfect reminder, at the perfect time.

I looked over at the table in front of the window. Becca had made it to the table with the coffee’s and now she and her mother were in an animated conversation and smiling at each other. It’s funny Victoria had said she had seen me week after week here, and yet I had never noticed them before. I looked around at the busy shop with a whole new set of eyes, I wonder what else in this coffee shop I missed? I picked up my coffee and sank back into my chair.

As I watched the activity around me it was astounding what I saw. The interactions between people, or again the lack of interactions as people sat together but focused on their phones, showing each other what they were looking at between sips of coffee and then returning to their phones. Then the animated conversations that began softly and erupted and then lowered again as they noticed they suddenly had an audience. In another corner a group of young mom’s sat with their babies, sharing stories and laughing enjoying the break in the day. Behind the counter the two workers were working quickly to restock the goodies and make fresh coffee, smiling and chatting with each other while they waited for the next customer or the next rush. The land of interaction meets the person who just came in to satisfy a simple promise to not be a hermit.

I looked back at my laptop and tried to review where I had left off, changing a few things and again trying to become engrossed in my work. The buzz of the conversations around me were not fading as they had before. My attention had become more of a struggle and not because I couldn’t stay focused, but because I realized the coffee shop wasn’t just another place to write so I could check off a simple promise.

I closed my laptop and grabbed my bag from beside me. “That’s enough for today I think,” I mumbled to no one in particular. I drained my last drop of coffee and put everything inside my bag. Picking everything up I placed my mug in the dirty dishes bin and headed towards the door.

“See you next week Madison.” called out Victoria who was close behind me. It startled me, as I was unaware she was there. I stopped and turned to face her.

I smiled and nodded,“Yes, see you next week Victoria. You too Becca.”

“You won’t see Becca next week, it’s my sons turn. They take turns. They can only handle so much time with me.” she smiled, a little mischief in her eyes.

Becca blushed and stammered, “Mom!”

Victoria openly laughed. I shook my head and couldn’t help but laugh too. Becca stared at both of us and started laughing, relief washing over her face.

“I have a feeling Victoria, you keep your family on their toes.”

“She definitely does that.” Becca smiled and rolled her eyes.

Victoria just smiled at her daughter and moved towards the door.

All three of us exited the coffee shop. As Victoria and Becca headed towards their car I watched them for a minute. Victoria was unpredictable, and strong, however she loved her daughter even if she did take some delight in catching her off guard. I like Victoria, and Becca was right, we all need a little Victoria in our lives, some more then others.