I Decided to Switch it Up

I decided to switch up the pace of my day, weeks, and life. I woke up relatively early this morning. Mostly because I forgot I set my alarm. Of course I couldn’t get back to sleep so I got ready, grabbed my keys and laptop and was on my way. I was tired of Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts all the time, so I drove a little further to Tenth Street Coffee. The 30 minute drive gave me time to think.

I would like to tell you what I was thinking of. Everything I suppose. How my life is going. I thought by my age I would have a family of my own. Or at least not be on the spinning wheel I’ve been spending the last decade or so on. At first, the freedom was refreshing. Doing what I wanted when I wanted and not having to answer in. Keeping my apartment how I pleased, without having to pick up after anyone else. It was also nice that clothes were optional and there was no meaning or purpose behind it. I am sure my neighbors or passers by weren’t thrilled with the occasional flash. Or maybe they were. That’s the beauty of a city. Even if someone does see you naked in the window, the likelihood of you ever bumping into them again AND them remembering, is slim.

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I think what I am most tired about is everyone’s thoughts, questions, and opinions. It is absolutely alright if I am not married and don’t have children, I can take care of myself and there is no law saying I need those things. But I want those things, and the constant probing doesn’t make it any easier. I think about it enough on my own. I think about how quickly the years have gone by. I think about it all, but that doesn't mean I am obligated to share my thoughts.

I finally made it to Tenth Street Coffee just in enough time for me to be engrossed in the highlight reel of my life, so focusing wasn’t a skill I possessed at the moment. I floated through the parking lot, queued up on the short line, and ordered skinny unsweetened latte on auto-pilot. So it was not a surprise when I walked right into the back of someone’s chair while they were sitting in it and dumped a large majority of the latte onto my chest. 

Is anyone sitting here I eventually asked as the now luke-warm latte soaked through my shirt. We both silently gazed at each other for a moment. Startled at the experience that just unfolded and that we knew each other in another world. One from our younger days, when the road was completely ahead of us with hope and promise still on the horizon. I am sorry I was staring, he finally spoke; I was trying to place how I knew you. I’m sure I was staring back, I unintentionally barked. You worked at Keller Williams on Miami Miami beach, right? I don’t know if ‘worked’ is the right term for what 22-year-olds do, but I sat there during that time, he chuckled. Can I buy you a new coffee, or shirt, maybe both; he finally landed on.