Deprivational Mean

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