Interactions 1

Interactions on my way to, or in the process of obtaining coffee of a morning.

Week: end of March, 2026

“Small flat white, please.”

“Sure. Ruby, isn’t it?”

“No. Elissa.”

“Oh! Sorry.”

[glancing down at my red and black dress, locks of red hair falling past my field of view.] “Though I can see why.”

“Found ya joy yet?”

“This week? No. Just mild discombobulation.”

“Look under the couch. Mine always falls under there.”

“What happened to, uh… don’t remember her name. Used to come in with you a lot.”

“She moved away.”

“Oh. Shame. She seemed nice.”

She was.

“Oh! Hello. You’re up early.”

“So are you.”

[Astute observations from us both]

“Where are you going?”

“Off to the gym.”

“Ah. I’m off to get a coffee.”

“Well, have a nice coffee!”

[Dog excitedly walks up to me]

“Hello, Ned!”

[I give Ned some pats]

[Eventually Ned’s owner catches up and I exchange pleasantries far less genuine than the dog’s excitement at seeing me]

“Nice tits, luv!”

[I face forward, not making eye contact and pretending I couldn’t hear him through my headphones]