The café was bustling with the lunchtime rush when Carol ducked inside, shaking raindrops off her umbrella. The line wound nearly out the door, patrons dripping coats and tapping toes impatiently while baristas raced steam nozzles and espresso machines in a lightning dance behind the counter. Pausing to get her bearings in the cozily cramped space, Carol could just make out two tiny empty seats in the far corner, a miniscule circular two-top table tucked cozily to the side of a snugly crammed bookshelf.Hurrying over with an “excuse me” and “pardon me” weaving expertly through the crowds, Carol claimed the two chairs just before another eager java-seeker swooped in. After appreciatively inhaling the rich aroma of coffee and cinnamon chai now enveloping her from the foaming machines, Carol began slowly unfurling her damp scarf and shrugging off her coat. She set a slightly worn red leather satchel containing her laptop on the floor beneath her seat. Then running fingers through her wet wavy locks, she settled in to fully take in the atmosphere.Her corner spot offered a wonderful view into the heart of the homey shop. Baristas dressed in folkloric Mexican dresses and hand-crocheted aprons floated through the busy industrial kitchen area wielding espresso tampers, milk pitchers and muffin tongs. Customers staking claim to each coveted chairs and coffeehouse sofas ranged from lifelong retirees savouring Russian teas and lengthy book club debates to knit-capped students tapping keys and highlighters while chugging quad-shot americanos. Everyone cheerfully made room for one another in this expansive clan, united by inclement weather and thirsts for warm caffeine and culture.It was easy to see how hours might slip away enjoyable unnoticed at this congenial oasis, as indeed Carol fully anticipated for her Saturday afternoon ahead. She only needed to complete a book proposal draft she’d promised Monday to the head of local Literacy Initiatives volunteer team. If she could achieve a solid head start amidst the cozy inspiration here before nightfall, maybe Thai takeout in front of a classic movie awaited as reward later...Before she could slip her laptop out though, Carol noticed the petite figure at the next tiny table over had placed a slim volume paperback face down to observe her with open curiosity. Blinking in surprise, Carol met the girl’s tawny eyes behind black-framed glasses. Something about that steady gaze made Carol suddenly self-conscious; she felt heat rising in her cheeks unbidden as the other girl continued frankly studying her, head tilted slightly and ghost of smile playing at the corners of her mouth.Finally she spoke softly, voice smooth despite Carol detecting traces of an unfamiliar accent. “It’s really coming down out there. I almost wore sandals, can you imagine?” Her nose wrinkled in amused dismay and Carol couldn’t help an answering bubble of laughter escaping mixing with the girl’s own muted giggle. The ice effectively broken, it seemed the most natural thing to lean forward both still grinning now, elbows propped on the tiny circular stone table, and embark on one of those free-flowing conversations with an amiable stranger that lent places like cozy cafes their distinctive magic...
