ali's Corner. [Simple Kindness]

Simple Kindness.

Sometimes I wonder the initial thought people speculate to decide whether or not to follow through with a deed.
Or a suggestion.
The man who handed me my coffee tonight asked if I’d like an extra shot of espresso in my mocha latte. I shook my head and said “No thank you, I don’t want to be up all night”. We shared a laugh and his wide smile told me he understood

I swear I’m drinking hot chocolate right now.
I should have accepted the complimentary shot.

But what made him say that?
Was it my age?
Maybe in his eyes he saw a young college student by herself, no make up on, late at night,
Hugging her netbook to her chest overwhelmed with the hours of work she’s about to put in her essay due tomorrow.

Maybe he remembers me from last year.
When this coffee shop was open 24 hours.
I’d bring my journal in the early hours of the morning
and somehow always forget a pen.
I’d ask this same man if I could borrow one,
always promising to give it back when I was finished.
His same wide smile told me he knew that I was troubled.
My Sad Sundays is what I’d call them.
Maybe he knew.
He knew that I wasn’t doing homework.
But I was just out on my weekly venture from the house
To think.
To write.
And to release.

And maybe he really knows that I’m not doing homework tonight.
That I’m not really a student.
But again
I’m out on a Sunday evening
For my weekly debrief.
A time to myself.

And with this knowledge of his
Such a simple gesture makes me smile.
“Would you like an extra shot of espresso, tonight?”
Tells me he’s thinking, of my well being.
That maybe such a selfless offer could make my night
Just that much better.