The Smell

Restless sleep, she

tossed and turned

and then

tossed and turned

some more.

She opens her soft

hazel eyes

and takes time

to stretch

her body;with

her dark brown

skin illuminated

by the summer sun,

as it rises.

She begins to

get up,but

 sudden goosebumps

appear on her

small arm.

She quickly grabs

her black

under armour

sweatshirt

and puts it on,

suddenly feeling

warm and fuzzy.

She opens her

light blue door

and is greeted with

the smell she

knew all to well.

She walked slowly

down the

long hallway

dragging her feet

along the

wooden floors.

As she grew

closer to the

kitchen

the smell was

getting stronger

and stronger.

By the time

she got to the

kitchen, she

was salivating.

She finds her

dad making

breakfast: it

consisted of

the sweet smell

of french toast,

bacon, and eggs.

She walked past

the griddle though,

because the best

smell of all

was coming from

the coffee pot.

She grabbed

a mug and

began to fill it

with the black,

rich, succulent,

liquid.

She drank it

every morning

and night.

She then went

to the canister

on the counter

and opened it up.

The smell was

so overwhelming

and powerful.

She reached in

and grabbed

a single bean,

bringing it to

her lips quickly.

The texture

was soft, yet

so tasteful

and delightful,

with its crevices

and odd

indentations.

She loves

everything

about it.

She loves

COFFEE.

 

 

 

 



The Lesson

     The bell rings as someone is coming in the door, are you kidding me it is fifteen minutes before closing time.  Who the hell is it?  I look over the coffee machines that are older than me and outdated.  I see the cutest old ladies going to the very back table of the restaurant, hmm that is peculiar the only customers that sit back in the corner are teenagers so they can talk about the latest gossip or their first time getting drunk. 
     I grab to small brown plastic cups and dip both cups into the ice bucket and fill them with water.  Damn it why can't people come in a half hour earlier, I grab two menus and begin to walk towards the two women.  As I get closer I notice one of the ladies has  a walker, and not justt any kind of walker; it had red ribbons wrapped all the way around it just so there is an equal amount of the silver metal showing and then purple polka dots haphazardly positioned on the red ribbon.  Great, not only do I have to wait on a table this late, but they are with the Red Hat Society.  From my prior experiences the Red Hat Society women are the most snippy, picky, grouchy women I have ever waited on, but as I got closer I knew they weren't like the other women in their group.  Before I could even ask them how they were doing this fine evening the lady with the walker cheerfully said, "Well hello young lady, my name is Ethel.  I can only imagine how upset you must be at us, being as it is almost time to close and we waltz in.  I know how that goes trust me, I waited tables for over thirty years."
     I took the time to look at this old lady named Ethel.  Ethel had bright white hair and even though she had to be at least eighty-five years old she still wore makeup, just enough bright red lipstick, and a touch of blush.  She looked very wise with all of her wrinkles maybe from worrying or perhaps laughing to much.  My rage had evaporated suddenly, I was filled with curiosity about this sweet old woman and all the knowledge that she possessed.
    "Don't apologize Ethel, it happens, to be honest I don't mind a bit."  This time I actually meant it I felt as if it was almost an honor to wait on her.
     "Ethel do not apologize to this young lady.  It is her job to wait on us, so what if we came in at at 7:45 she can deal with it.  If she can't well then she should not be a waitress," with that she put her nose up as if she was to good to even be talking to me. 
     It shocked me how two old ladies hanging out could be like night and day from each other.  Ethel's friend had dark grey hair and looked even older then Ethel, were they sisters?  The two women were dressed similarly, very classy, Ethel's friend had on gold oval shaped glasses, they looked like they could be from the 1980s.  Unlike Ethel, her friend had no makeup on, she looked like she had had a rough life, a lot of sorrow I could see on her face, it was almost like an open book.  The two women were both wearing black skirts with black pantie hoes, and also black flats that definitely looked like they had bought them from an old women's magazine.  Ethel had on a red blouse, while her friend had on a red blouse.  Ethel's friend had the prettiest necklace I had ever seen, it was so different.  The jewel shape reminded me of a Christmas light bulb shape, it was a beautiful blue, almost like a deep blue sea color,and the top of the jewel was wrapped with silver, it almost looked like a bunch of thin wire.  On the left side there was a white pearl, it looked real by how brightly it was shining, I didn't dare say how much I loved it, I could tell she did not like me.  I did not really know what to say back to the lady after her mean comment I replied with a merely, "It is okay, what can I get you two ladies to drink?"
     The lady replied rather quickly as if she wanted me to leave right away, "We both would like decaf coffee with creamer, oh and remember to bring a spoon, waitresses are terrible about that kind of stuff.  We do not want anything to eat."  She was very cranky and the look on her face made me want to snap right back at her, but instead I remembered to always kill people with kindness.  That way she will realize I am really not that bad or at least will not be as cranky towards me. 
     "Okay ladies, I will be right back." 
      With that, I turned on my heels and began to walk away I heard Ethel saying to her friend, "I m so sorry."  Sorry for what?  I am usually not one to eavesdrop, nut it floored as to why this sweet little Ethel would be saying sorry to her big rip of a friend.  I grab two brown coffee cups, crap I had forgotten that we had washed the decaf coffee pots.  I grabbed the decaf pot and a scoop of coffee grounds all the while pondering as to why Ethel would be sorry.  Maybe she had accidentally ran over the woman's dog or lost a cane she had borrowed a few months back before she got her walker.  I walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two creamers and noticed that the decaf was done brewing.  Hopefully they aren't to upset that the coffee took so long, I filled the two cups with coffee and grabbed two spoons, god forbid if I had forgotten them.
     I started to walk towards their table, "It has been fifty years since we have last talked Jane.  I have said sorry over and over.  I just want to be friends again."  I was worried that I was about to walk into a big fight, should I keep walking over to them?  Well they are going to want their coffee while they fight I guess.  I reached their table and asked in the sweetest voice I could muster, "Can I get you ladies anything else?" 
     Ethel had tears in her eyes and I could tell she was trying to hold back from balling, "No thank you young lady, but thanks for asking."  I had just realized that we were both calling each other lady, did people use to call her that when she was younger?
    I walked off feeling bad partly for interrupting and partly for Ethel, my heart went out to her.  What happened fifty years ago that stopped their friendship dead in its tracks?
     It took all my might not to try and eavesdrop more, but there was nothing to do being as I had done all the closing up chores while the place was dead.  I decided I would pretend to wash off already washed tables, so I could check on poor Ethel and make sure she wasn't being ripped apart by her use-to-be friend, but as I was washing off dirty tables I saw Jane was drinking her coffee rather fast.  I grabbed the decaf coffee pot and began the long journey to the back of the restaurant.  I heard Jane raising her voice louder and firmer this time, "You hurt me, not only did you take my husband away from me, but you married him, and adopted my kids!  You were supposed to be my friend."
     I couldn't believe what I had just heard, sweet Ethel really did that?  No wonder Jane is so hard and bitter towards people.  If that happened to me I couldn't say that I wouldn't be the same.  I slowed down my pace and cleared my throat so Jane would realize I was coming and stop talking, but I don't think she even noticed.  "The reason I called you..."  It was the worst most awkward timing to come fill coffee cups, "Umm...  Would you ladies like a refill?"
     Jane was frazzled and looked a bit startled by my sudden presence, "Yes, please."  I was shocked by her sudden manners, did she really just say that? 
     Poor Ethel looked like she wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out, she could tell she regretted everything she did, and just wanted to be friends again.  She looked like anything she said, she would have to say while stepping on eggshells.  I could feel the tension and how intense their emotions were towards each other, I want so badly to scuffle back to the kitchen as fast as I could without making a scene, but beforeI had even turned around to leave, Jane started into the conversation again.  "I actually came here tonight in the hopes of making you feel miserable for what you did to me and my family, but seeing you has changed my mind, along with other things.  I miss my best friend.  I want things to go back to the way they use to be.  I am willing to forgive you, although I will never forget."
     I was almost to the kitchen by now, but I heard Jane and Ethel begin to cry, and to be completely honest I teared up a bit too. I could not imagine forgiving my best friend if she had done that to me, and not only that, but fifty years after the fact, wouldn't it be awkward, almost to late?  It would take a very forgiving, selfless, caring person to do that.  I realized then and there no matter what my best friends do I need to forgive them, if not for them, for myself.  I could hear Jane's voice change as if over those fifty years pressure had been building on her shoulders, dragging her down onto the ground, making it to heavy of a burden to carry anymore.  It crushed who she was until she couldn't take it anymore. 
     I set the coffee pot on the burner and grabbed a dishrag again and "washed the tables off" again.  I looked up and saw that Jane and Ethel were hugging each other across the table, tears were falling everywhere and for the first time tonight I saw Jane smile.  It was truly amazing to me how fifty years could pass, one phone call, and meeting someone at a diner, and having a cup of coffee could reconcile an old friendship like that.
     By now it was nine o'clock the two ladies got up, they were holding each others' hands, smiling and happy as could be.  As they walked up to pay for their coffee I quickly said, "Do not worry about it ladies, it is on me tonight,"  they did not realize how big of an impact they had made on me tonight, it was the least I could do for them.
     They both looked at me and smiled, Jane replied, "Why thank you lady, you are so kind."  With that they walked out of the diner.
     I walked back to their table with a washcloth, and began to clear off their table when I noticed there was writing on a napkin.  I grabbed the napkin and began to read it.  It read:

 Young Lady,

You taught me to forgive today, I was a nasty old hag to you tonight, and you forgave me although I never said sorry.  You treated me with respect and it made me realize that I had not done the same to you, for that I am very sorry.  You made me realize that life is too short to hold grudges. 

I saw you eyeing my necklace earlier, take care of it for me will you?  It was my mother's necklace.  They are real white pearls, and the the stone is called Blue Moon Topaz.  I just wanted to say thank you again, you are an amazing young lady.

Sincerely, Jane

     I unfolded the napkin only to find the beautiful necklace inside.  A complete stranger, who was six times older then me just said she had learned something from me, I was in complete shock.  It made me realize that I shouldn't judge others, because you do not know their story.  We had both taught each other something that night. 

Best Cousins

     It was a warm spring day, the ground had thawed from the harsh winter, and birds were chirping happy to finally be home.  Tyler and I were sitting on an old rotted out tree stump trying to think of a fun game we could play.  We were both four, I always made fun of Ty, because he was a couple months younger than I.  He was so gullible I would tell him we were only a couple hours apart and he believed me, even though we celebrated my birthday in August and his in November.  He was two inches shorter than I, a complete cowboy spitting image of his father, he would always wear his chaps around so proud to call himself one.
I was a tom-girl, played with snakes and frogs, and always loved to be outside feeding with my dad.  My parents would always joke around saying they got the wrong baby in the hospital, because unlike the rest of my family I was super dark.  In the summertime they use to call me the black child.  My freckles would be glowing when I came inside after a hot summer day.  Ty and I were best cousins, not a care in the world, always by each others' sides.  Sitting on that old rotted out tree stump was our thing, his back yard was like our tree house to other kids.
     "I got it!!!", he exclaimed.
      Tyler usually said the same game ever time, so before he could open his mouth I said in a snotty voice,"No, we are not going to play cowboys and Indians, or cowboy and cow, or anything to do with cowboys.  We just played that yesterday."  i was so annoyed with his obsession with cowboys.
     Tyler looked at me like he was hurt by my accusation that he was going to say that, "Fine...  What do you want to play then?"
     I looked at him quizzically, "what happens if we make something?"
     He looks at me like he thinks I had to much to drink or inhaled to much smoke at a branding, but he went along with it anyways, "Like a turtle?"
    "Yes, like a turtle!!!  And then we can play a game where we save it from the dogs!"
     We both look at each other like we did when we thought of a good way to annoy his sisters, only this time it was better.  We ran into the house and grabbed a shoebox from Big R, lime green paint, newspaper from he week before, and glue.  We painted the shoebox, crumpled the newspaper into a ball, and rolled up another piece of newspaper.  We then glued the two pieces of newspaper together, and glued it to the side of the shoebox.  We drew two beady eyes with a pencil on the newspaper and half a circle for a mouth.  We did not put legs on him, because that is where we came in to save him form the two ferocious Border Collies.
     We both stare in amazement at this creature we had made,"Wow!", we both say in unison.  Our beautiful turtle with bright green paint splashed here and there, leaving parts of the shoebox showing it was a size 9 shoe, and its head filled with the latest happenings in town.  "Eddie the amazing turtle.", Ty blurts out.
  We look at each other, our toothy grins, excitement in our eyes.  Ty and me always knew exactly what each other was thinking, all we did was look at each other.  Looking back on it now it is simply amazing how much we could say without even talking to each other, it was eerily normal to us.
  "Eddie Hank" I proclaimed proudly.  Hank was not just some name I had thought up, but of course after Hank the Cow Dog, our favorite book.
     We ran outside, the dogs following us.  We grabbed a side of Eddie Hank and counted slowly as we turned in a circle, "one...two...THREE!" We threw it as far as our little arms could.  The dogs sprinted, with their tongues hanging out, drips of slobber dropping from their mouths to the ground with every stride they took.  They started to fight over who got Eddie Hank.
     "NO!!!" Ty and I screamed and ran to rescue Eddie Hank our turtle.  By the time we got there Eddie Hank's head was ripped into tiny pieces.
     "Bad dogs!  you were not suppose to kill him!"  Tyler screamed with tears forming in his eyes.  "How could you Patches and Scruff!"
     I was speechless Eddie Hank was not suppose to get hurt.  Even though it was only a shoebox and newspaper print it meant so much more to us.  We looked at each other in despair, not knowing what to do next whether to punish the dogs or cry.  Tyler holding the remnants of what was once Eddie Hank, came over to me and hugged me putting Eddie Hank in between us.
     "We can not just throw him away.  He does not deserve that."
     Tyler responds, "I agree let's bury him.  We will even make him a pretty headstone." 
     He hands me what was left of Eddie Hank and runs inside.  I wait patiently silently scolding Patches and Scruff.  How could they, he was just an innocent turtle, a tear trickles down my rosy-freckled cheeks.  I vowed to myself never ever will I forgive those damned dogs.  Tyler comes running out with a red little shovel from his Bob the Builder set and the glue we had used earlier to make poor Eddie Hank.
     He starts to dig a hole in his mom's flower bed right beside her pretty red tulips, bits of dirt landing on the soft delicate petals tearing one of them off.  It takes him about ten minutes, we are silent, tears running down our faces.  I silently hand him the remains of Eddie Hank.  He sets him in the three foot grave, and hands me a handful of dirt, I softly throw it on top of Eddie Hank.  We then get on our hands and knees and started to cover him up with one handful of dirt after another.  After we had covered him up we decided we would say a few things about him and a prayer.
     Tyler monotonously announces as we had seen in the western movies our parents watch, "We are gathered here today for our beloved Eddie Hank.  Eddie Hank was the best turtle there was.  He was fun to with that green paint and glue.  Do you have anything to say?"
     I look at his grave and start crying, "Because of you I want another turtle and I promise you I will not let anything happen to him.  You were truly amazing and have touched mine and Ty's life, you will be missed."
     With that, Ty said a prayer,"God please take good care of Eddie Hank, he was so young when he went to heaven with you.  Take care of him up there for us.  Amen."
     "Amen.  Ty, do you ever wonder what he will do up there?"
     Ty ponders this thought for a moment, then in the most grown up voice he could muster he says, "I believe he will hangout with his parents on a summer's day on a log...  Dog free!!!"  He smiles a little smile and I smile back.
  We then grab two twigs, Ty puts one into the Earth where Eddie Hank's head should be buried, while I snap the other twig in half.  Ty then grabs grabs a half of the snapped twig and puts glue on one side of the twig.  He hands me the glue and I do the same.  We take our half twigs and stick it to the opposite sides of the stick in the ground.  We get up and dust our knees off, even though we our covered in dirt head to toe, as usual, and stare out the beautiful cross.  "The best headstone I have ever seen."  I exclaimed.  Ty smiles at me.
     We grab each others hands and turn around, by now it is noon.  "What is for lunch?"  I had just realized how hungry I was.
     "Macaroni and cheese!  Yum, my favorite", Ty responds.
     We skip off into the house.  Two carefree best cousins leaving behind our first experience with losing one of our pets.

The Devil

How bitter he must be

To wake up in the morning,

He probably lays in silence.

To get up and look in the mirror

His scars raised.

The Devil.

To feel the unevenness,

What was once smooth.

He has to relive the horror daily,

Of Hell.

To walk out the door,

Telling himself it will be okay.

Over and Over and Over.

Beady eyes...  Staring.

He wants to crawl in a hole,

and never come out again.

Crowded streets, but he is,

Still Lonely. 

His family...  Gone.

Starting New... Different.

He should think positive,

He keeps telling himself that.

But will it ever get better?

He asks himself that every day.