Recaffeination
(Noun: the act of returning to drinking coffee after a long absence)
A pleasant neighbourhood café, he thought. Nothing about it too pretentious and maybe…just maybe…not too expensive? He looked at the tables and chairs in the dim light. Mid-afternoon, and there was still plenty of space (strange for a Friday?). And the line was not too long at the counter. Three schoolkids – did he know those uniforms – and the usual screenplay writers who would not write a damn thing… He knew the type.
“Hi! Can I help you?”
The chalkboard behind the girl with braces was faded, but he already knew what he wanted.
“Large black…house blend.”
She kept grinning. “Anything inside? Milk or…?”
“No, straight up. Just black…no sugar.”
She was very happy when she turned around, hit a tap, and filled a mug. When she turned back, he had his money out, already stuffing money into the labeled Mason jar used for tips (“Make it rain…with change” – not clever, but…) “Oh, thank you, sir!”
“Thank you. You are helping me return to old habits.”
A little confusion on her face – name tag said “Laura” – but she was still smiling. “Whatever you need, sir.”
He found a seat in a booth with a good source of light. And he could see the vapor rising from the mug, smell the dark roast (did not even need a taste to know the type of beans brewed), and feel the warmth.
“Recaffeination begins now…”
*
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Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
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Comments (20)
Ah, the aroma of coffee...the smooth brew, unadulterated.
Great short story, really can feel your excitement about having a cup of coffee!
Love it! 🩵 Brilliant new word. Clever and relatable.
AAAAHHH! I wish I liked coffee. Enjoy. Kudos.
I feel like I saw this take place rather than reading it!
I could actually see the aromatic steam rising. GREAT TS.
Spectacular!!! Could smell the coffee!!! Lived it!!! Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Oh the way you wrote this is lovely…nostalgic. Utterly beautiful and a great TS. 👏❤️
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story!
Great story, though personally I prefer my coffee strong, black and short - never in a mug. Each to his own! Congrats on the TS
Great little story for a perfect word! I’ve gone long periods of time without, so I totally related! Awesome job, Kendall! 💫☕️💫
Nicely done, and now I want coffee. Congrats on the TS.
Excellent word choice. Very well done. I'm a coffee drinker and I get it. Congrats on the Top Story
This was great! I can't say I relate because I'm not a coffee drinker but I can say I understand the context/ idea of it! Love the word you came up with to go with the story!
Loved this...the fact that this isn't already used as a word is a crime and you highlighted it perfectly. Loved the subtlety and the way you presented its use. Congrats on a fine Top Story, sir!
Great word and loved the story-Super congrats of TS! 🤍
I recaffeinate every day twice a day. Yes it still counts because that's a loooooooong absence from caffeine there. Lol! Loved your word and story!
Great story! Totally believe the character, I've done that so many times in coffee shops Recaffeinated, that's a good one and I think I'll be using it in the real world
I don’t drink coffee, but great story!
I can see it now, "Brand new, recaffeinated sodas. All your favorites with the caffeine restored! Disclaimer: sorry, we cannot recaffeinate 7-Up as it never had caffeine to begin with. Mountain Dew, on the other hand...."