A Cup of Coffee

It was early in the morning, about the time that every person in L.A. was heading towards their office and desperately needed a coffee to start the day. This didn’t stop Tina from parking her car two blocks from the nearest Starbucks branch.

She wasn’t in a rush – she was working a lot from home lately and didn’t lose as much time in traffic as she used to. She only had a meeting at 10am and after that, she was free until lunch. She entered the building and a sigh escaped her lips as she saw the long queue in front of her.

Just because she didn’t have to be anywhere soon didn’t mean she liked waiting. She pulled up the strap of her purse and stepped forward – the longer she stood there, the longer she would have to wait.

Only five minutes later, she heard a strangely familiar voice calling out her name.

“Tina Kennard, is that you?”

She turned around, wondering where it came from. She was rendered speechless as she recognised him instantly. After all, what were the odds of meeting him here, in New York?

“Eric?”

He gave her the smile she had fallen for all those years ago – he really couldn’t help it, apparently. She looked him over. He hadn’t changed much, but of course he had aged during those 16 years. He was wearing a smart suit, Armani she noticed. His hair was neat, so perfectly in its place it was almost scary. His blue eyes still radiated self confidence and strength. He put out his hand.

“The one and only,” he confirmed.

Tina shook his hand. “Wow – I can’t believe this! It’s been so long… what are you doing here? Back in the days you had hired a girl only to make you coffee.”

“We all have to economize, I’m afraid.”

The queue moved forward and Tina was surprised how fast it had gone.

“You still drink your coffee black?” Tina asked. She didn’t know why she had remembered these details – she guessed it was just one of those things.

“Yep. You still have it with one sugar?”

Tina smiled. “Yeah. Some things never change, do they?”
It was already Eric’s turn and he stepped forward to place his order. So did Tina as the person in front of her left the queue. Soon, they were both holding their coffees.