Excerpt: Artist, Behind Glass

My favorite barista Magdalena comes and peeks over my shoulder. “That”, she states with great emphasis, “is not a manuscript! That is facebook, and oh my god you’re on people-of-walmart.com. Honestly what is wrong with you? Are you feeling well?” She jokingly puts the back of her hand against my forehead. I sigh and roll my eyes; I knew I never should have told her about this play. “You my dear” Mag states with the absolute confidence of a well seasoned veteran barista, “are suffering from a caffeine deficiency!” Mag turns around and yells to Damion over her shoulder. “Quick brew more Sumatra stat! Our resident author is in desperate need of coffee!” I start to laugh, and look back to my laptop. Mag leans in and whispers conspiratorially “Ever since I was little and watched ER with my mom I’ve always wanted to yell ‘Stat!’ in some situation.” We both grin, and she saunters off to find the half and half that goes hand in hand with my favorite caffeine addiction.
I pull up my word document again and sigh. “Really? Really!? is this what I’ve come to?” I decide it is, the outside world is full of too much drama and I can’t take it any more. So like any sane individual I have decided to sound the retreat and set up residence at my favorite table in the coffee shop. Safe behind the plate glass windows I can watch the world, but I don’t have to participate. I don’t have to suffer more stress and heart break. At my table in the corner I can be the mysterious writer that every one wonders about. I can watch other people’s drama. Their love, and loss, and heart break. And I will remain safe and untouched. It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. “I hear by resign from my post as member of society!” I proclaim. And then I realize oh my god I just said that out loud! Mag looks over and raises her eyebrows, Damion is so startled he almost drops a cup, and the other three and a half people in the coffee shop look up for a brief second.