There is an older man who I’ve seen once or twice a week at this coffee shop. He comes in and sits next to me at the bar.
Last time, he came in, greeted me, then ate & read the paper in silence. Then, upon leaving, turned and said (with a twinkle), “Well, it was nice talking to you.”
He just came in. The only available seat at the bar was next to me.
“I see you saved me a seat!”, he says.
“I did! And this paper (that was already here) is yours, too!”
He smiled and then walked to the front to order his soup and sandwich.
When he came back, he turned to me and said, “We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.”
“I know, they’re beginning to start rumors!”
He laughed, sat down, and is now doing what he does.
Cool guy.
PART II – January 27 (the next day)
My old man friend is back.
He just came in, set down his paper and water cup.
I stood up to take care of my dirty plate and make room for him, but he took it from me without saying anything and took care of it (I said “thank you”).
When he came back with his soup and sandwich he said with a twinkle in his eye, “I don’t care what they say, you and I are going to be OK.” :)
…[time passes]…
He just turned to me as he gathered his things, “I hope you’ll be able to carry on without me.”
I said, “I don’t know — perhaps if I knew I’d see you again soon.”
He said, “Sorry no, I won’t see you until tomorrow. I hope you don’t get separation anxiety.”
I said, “Gosh, I hope not — pointing to my coffee — I’ll just drink of much of this as possible and try to carry on.”
He said, “You know, as an Irishman, I think I know what could help you.”
“What?”, I asked as he started walking towards the door.
He turned and said, “Add some whiskey.” and smiled.
I laughed.
He wears a gold wedding band — and yes, now that I’ve heard more than a few words in a row from him, he does have a bit of an accent.
As I said yesterday, cool guy.
One of the staff who wipes down tables came up to me after he left and smiled, “So — you have a study buddy now.”
I said, “I think I do!” :)