After dropping Levi off for his grooming appointment on
Monday I had an hour to kill before The Gathering, a monthly event at the
senior hall for people looking for friends. Starbucks Double Star Day was calling
my name so I stopped. I usually take advantage of the drive-thru window but I
felt like doing my John Steinbeck impression so I went inside where I thought
the seven busy employees could keep me entertained as they did their mixing and
blending. All summer I’ve been drinking their Ice Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiatos
but fall is officially here which means out with the old and in with the new
featured drinks made with pumpkin, chili and salted caramel. I’ve been drinking
a lot of soy milk lately which I credit for keeping the chin hairs away which inspired me to include it in my Starbucks order
and for the first time ever, I became one of those people whose drink order
sounds like an essay, “I’d like a tall Salty Caramel Mocha Frappuccino with soy
milk and, yes, to your next question regarding the whipped cream.” I’ve tried
the pumpkin drinks and they’re good, but I can’t wrap my brain around having
coffee seasoned with chili powder.
After sitting at a table where I could see everyone in the
place I took out my notebook---not the kind that has a keyboard---to use as
a prop for my struggling writer act. I was the only person in the place over
thirty and I was surrounded by others using notebooks---the kind that doesn't
require an ink pen or pencil. None of them were doing anything remotely
interesting and I decided the next time I want to people watch I’m going back
to the Guy Land Cafeteria. At least there if the other customers ignore me I’ll
know it’s not age discrimination.
I’m crazy about Starbucks. I like the seasonally drinks and
more importantly l love their commitment to ethical sourcing and verifiable fair
treatment of 3rd party workers. I like that Starbucks takes a
holistic approach and teach classes in small farm communities around the world about long-term
sustainability of land and water sources. I like that they pay their baristas’ tuition
for any online college courses they complete and that all their baristas look
smart enough to wash their hands after using the bathroom. And I don’t mind
paying a little more for all those things.
After The Gathering when seven of the fourteen in the group went
to Tim Horton’s, I felt like I was cheating on Starbucks. Drinks
were cheaper but their two employees struggled with our orders. Two of us got bowls
of chili instead of the smaller cups we ordered. The cashier didn’t know how to
process a gift certificate and when he was reminded that bread came with the chili,
he handed out slices without a plate or napkin. But we had a good time and I
think a couple of the ladies are going to start going to The Movie and Lunch
Club next month. Slowly but surely---cross my fingers---we are working our way
out of the friendly acquaintance zone into new friends getting to know one
another.
At The Gathering a man came for the first time. When I saw
his name tag, I started to laugh and I made a comment about the facilitator
labeling him “guy” because there are so few men who come to the senior center. Guy
had no sense of humor and did not laugh but four of us turned bright red trying
to quit. Where is a mother with a bar of
soap when you need one? He’s veteran who recently went through a “nasty divorce that took all his money, his house and his dog.” All that came
out when we played a game where we each drew a penny out of a dish and had to
tell the others something that happened in the year that matched the date on
the penny we drew. I lucked out and drew the year Don and I moved into our
brand new house, a happy memory after two years of extreme hardships and stress
that included Don’s massive stroke and 9/11.
After leaving Tim Horton’s and picking up Levi, I felt a
sense of pride in myself. Yes, I still miss my husband---not a day goes by that
something doesn’t remind me of Don. But I am a woman who has not let forces
beyond my control rob me of my sense of humor. I’m still standing and the only real
dilemma in my immediate future is if I’m going to try the Chili Mocha at Starbucks. I am
strong and I’m in danger of belting out the chorus of Helen Reddy's song about being
invincible, so I need to quit writing here.
©
