Starbucks Rewards

She stepped out of the cab as I turned in to the Starbucks drive thru. I live in the motor city. Everything is drive thru.

She was wearing a black brimmed hat and matching black ensemble. She looked like a fashionable Manhattan socialite. But this wasn't Manhattan. I think she took a wrong turn at this factory laden Southern Ontario city.

I ordered a decaf. The barista said it would take a full minute to brew. Some would balk but that means the freshest possible coffee. Well worth the wait.

And there she was. I could see her sitting at a table by the window, black brimmed hat and all. She even chatted stylishly. I watched her for the full minute. Wondering what brought her to Starbucks in a cab.

I imagined she was here to escape an abusive and controlling husband. She was left at home with no car. He didn't allow her to dress up. So while he was at work, she put on her best clothes and the black brimmed hat that made her feel beautiful, called a cab and met her very best confidant at Starbucks for an expresso. So she could feel real again.

The barista handed me a certificate for a free beverage, any size, to compensate for my wait. That minute had passed by fast as I imagined the story of the Manhattan Socialite.

Well worth the wait.

For more water cooler creativity click here...Ethos.