CHAPTER 1
On a foggy spring morning in a parking lot outside of Don’s
Coff ee Shop in Trenton, Minnesota, the fog fades out the
shop’s red sign. Th e sun has yet to rise and the “early birds”
or morning regulars are inside conversing about the day’s
top headlines. A man named Roy is inside drinking a dark
caff einated coff ee, just what he needs to prepare for his
very long day. He sits at his usual table in the middle of the
elongated dining area in between
two social groups.
Th e Coff ee shop has group of four females in their
thirties sitting at a table the back exit. High stool chairs
and tables are at the front entrance where fi ve old gentlemen
talk about how
times have changed.
Th e man in
the green hooded sweatshirt says, “When I
was young I used
to walk over hills and through cold winter
storms to get to school. Now look, kids are driving to school
in new cars.”
A man across the table in a John Deere cap responds
with a smile, “Yeah Jim, but how many school days did you
actually show up for school?”
Th e coff ee shop worker is heard grinding a special blend
of coff ee beans. Each time the coff ee grinder turns on the
worker’s mustache shudders from vibrations transferring
an
ut tim
m
oung
t th
g u
n he fro
able by
s a g
gro
ual ta
en t
ne
ab
ns
eds
g
side
t
abo
he e
fade
earl
d
Cory Perala
2
throughout his body while holding onto the vibrating coff ee
machine.
Th e group of ladies at the back exit sit preparing their
make up with hand held mirrors. One takes a sip of her coff ee
and shouts, “Yikes! Th at is hot, not prepared for that!”
Th e lady across the table from her exchanges a few words
over to the shop worker, “Th e freshest coff ee is the hottest
right Jake?”
“Th at’s right” says Jake talking loud enough to be heard
over the sound of the coff ee grinder. “Adding little sugar
or cream will not be enough to tame the heat my fresh
cup of coff ee.”
“I guess we will have to start coming later to let the
coff ee have time to cool”, replies black haired woman
who burnt herself with the coff ee.
Jake replies, “Uh, I a separate batch that is
milder from now on. Th coff should be ready in time for
when you show up Sue.”
Roy is about half way
into his cup of coff ee staring at his
employer’s monthly newsletter covering recent performances
within the past year. Roy has his usual fl annel shirt, which
fi ts loosely to
his tall skinny body type. His front cowlick
makes the short brown hair style heavy to the left. Next, the
front door bell rings to signal a new customer walking into
the shop. Th e person is a female in her thirties with blonde
hair, long bangs that curl out to touch her front forehead,
and small diamond earrings. Roy notices the woman at
fi rst glance with a look of lucky recognition in his face.
A handful of thoughts and memories run through Roy’s
mind while he waits to choose the right words in getting
the blonde’s attention.
pa
’s month
yea
osel
he s
he ye
ely ho
o hi
alf w
ne
ue.”
e c
will m
off ee
ffee.
make
the bla
ming l
at o
a l
of m
it
Deprivational Mean
3
Th e new customer walks her short and small frame to
the cash register table and orders a cappuccino from the
owner. When the purchase is being made for the cappuccino
the woman smiles and hands over three dollars for the two
dollars and thirteen cent cappuccino. After receiving the
eighty seven cents in change, the blonde turns to look for
a seat.
“Amanda what does this new day bring you?” Roy says
in an energetic tone to the blonde with a fresh cappuccino.
Amanda recognizes the voice and looks at Roy sitting at the
table about ten feet away.
With an expression of amazement Amanda says, “Roy,
it’s so good to see you. Has it been ten years since we last
met?”
Roy replies, “Since college graduation from my
memory.”
“Wow what is new with
you?
Where do you live? Where
do you work?” says Amanda.
“Take a seat and we
will catch up on the past ten years”
says Roy.
“Great, I have
a lot of time on my hands as I have today
off from work,” says Amanda pulling out the cushioned chair
that is tightly tucked under the table and sits down lazily by
letting her legs give out from under her. Putting her black
leather purse on the tucked in chair next to her, she takes
a moment to get comfortable by shrugging her shoulders
once while rearranging her hips on the seat. Amanda says,
“the last words I remember you telling me are: live well and
prosper.”
Roy replies with a smile, “well how have you done for
your self?”
reat, m w
ght
at, work
l
rk,” sa
nd Amand
w
da
lege g
n yea
manda s
ittin
Cory Perala
4
“I guess alright, after college I did what I intended with
managing my father’s corporation, married Sam and added
two children to the picture,” says Amanda.
Roy adds in while looking directly in Amanda’s eyes,
“Destiny may have had an infl uence in those occurrences.
Would you agree?”
Amanda answers as if making an excuse, “Yes I see the
point you are making, but nothing is free, either way work is
work.” Turning the position of her coff ee on the table so the
mouth spout is facing her, she takes two sips while looking
to the right outside the dark windows.
“On the topic of destiny, where did that pick of the litter
get you?” Amanda asks while looking down
at her coff ee.
“Yes I obtained a job with my degree sooner or later for
sales and marketing at Canet Lights,” says Roy.
“Oh, the life of fashion luxury appeals to you also,”
says Amanda.
Coming to the end coff ee grinding, Jake heads to
the back for his next routine task. Roy looks over Amanda’s
shoulder next customer to enter the shop, a business
man in tie. “So how do I look since we last met?”
Roy asks looking at the business man as if envying
him.
Amanda says without hesitation, “Uh, you look well in
spirit with a great outlook.”
Roy says, “Th at is a fraction of my story, these circles
that I wear under my eyes are shades of diffi culty overlapped
by optimism and hope. Much of what I do and how I look
now is part destiny and part of my decision making.” A
twitch in his eye signals a visual fl ashback of a dark and
cold experience.
uit
at the n
a suit and
t
sks
s while l
xt ro
t c
nd of h
out
his
n and
Light
d lux
d
hts,”
g
egree
at o
hile
Deprivational Mean
5
Th e number of people in the coff ee shop starts to grow
and grow as the morning rush hour nears. Jake is now busy
servicing customers with coff ee and pastries, having a long
awaited facial expression for this kind of business.
Roy includes, “So how long up the ladder have you
climbed since the pick of the litter after college?”
Amanda responds, “I do not know, let’s start with you
fi rst, then I will share my experience in return.” Roy’s facial
expression turns pale with his mouth dropped open and
looking at Amanda’s coff ee. His eyes shudder side to side,
recalling his past and searching where to begin his
story.
sid
de