COFFEEHOUSE CHATTER: FAMILY

 A series of essays....

THERE IS A MACHINE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE;
YOU JUST HAVE TO OPEN YOUR EYES AND FIND IT.

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

From time to time, our neighborhood friends meet at the corner coffeehouse to relax, sip their favorite brew or concoction, and warm-up their hands and hearts...together!

Some might think of their meeting as a 'cleansing' or 'purification of the soul.' Even though they may share similar backgrounds and values, their ideas and opinions are as diverse and variable as the weather outside of the little shop. 

Let's grab a cup of our own, take a comfortable seat, sit back and listen to what today's chapter of 'Coffeehouse Chatter' has to offer....

Ben and Carl, high school buddies who have, recently, renewed their friendship after over forty years of living, sip their coffee while awaiting the arrival of their mutual friend and neighbor, Jack. Jack’s younger cousin, Tyler, makes a surprise entrance by accompanying his cousin to the corner coffeehouse this morning. This makes for some lively and interesting conversation. Let’s listen in....

BEN: So, Carl, how was your Father’s Day yesterday? Lots of love from your girls?

CARL: Aw, Ben...you know the deal. One daughter tries to be loving and caring and the other, well, I have no rational explanation for what goes on in her head these days!

BEN: Connie still giving you and Jill grief these days? This has been going on way too long, you know!

CARL: Since right around mid-January, soon after Jill and I went up to see our vacant land up north to try and generate some interest in its sale. With retirement this year and trying to sell our home down here, we need that piece of mountainside real estate to sell, ASAP! The money would surely come in handy right about now.

(Long pause....)

CARL: And, before you ask....no, we haven’t seen our precious grandkids since then, either. 

BEN: No Skype or FaceTime? Not even a phone call?

CARL: (Deep sadness spreads across his face) Nope. Didn’t hear from Connie or the kids on Father’s Day yesterday, either. Not a word. She wrote us in February and said she needed time away from us and that we were most of the problem behind her not feeling well lately. So, we are giving her space and hoping she is able to work out whatever’s wrong in her head and in her heart. What the hell, Ben....we live over 2,000 miles away from her and she sees us as her enemy?

BEN: Wow! (Eyes narrowed and forehead deeply expressive with multiple wrinkles)

CARL: We’re giving her as much time as needed. But, after asking her a million times what's wrong and receiving absolutely nothing in return in terms of any form of an answer....it’s been one of the most confusing and frustrating times in our lives. Jill and I can only sit back and wait for a reason and a sliver of light to shine through the darkness. Jill has even asked Connie’s mother-in-law to help us understand. She has never gotten back with us. If it wasn’t so damn heartbreaking and serious for us, I’d say it was almost like playing high school games with teenagers.

(Ben shakes his head in total disbelief and utter confusion. He looks up to see Jack wave at them from the front door as Jack points over at the short line at the counter.)

BEN: Well, Jack just walked in and I’m not sure who that is with him? Do you recognize him, Carl?

CARL: No, can’t say that I do. (Attempts to lift himself up out of the doldrums) Jack doesn’t have a younger brother, does he?

BEN: No, he’s an only child as far as I know. Listen, Carl...I would never dismiss your concerns about Connie and, you know that. Let’s talk about it again later, if it would help make you feel better. You know I can be a listening ear, right? I don’t like seeing you like this, man.

CARL: Sure. Thanks. 

(Jack and his younger companion join Ben and Carl at their corner table...large, steaming, white coffee cups in their hands)

BEN: (Standing) Hey, set those cups down, gentlemen, and have a seat! Well, Jack, introductions, please. 

(Spring sunlight shines in from the corner window and places all four men in its spotlight as they seat themselves at the cozy table)

JACK: I know. I know. I’m late, as usual. My cousin, Tyler, here just flew in from the West Coast last night and we’ve been reliving our younger, less complicated childhood days together this morning. It’s been quite therapeutic, actually.

(Ben and Carl take turns shaking Tyler’s hand and welcome him into the fold)

CARL: Man, you guys could have called off coffee with us this morning. We would have understood. (As Ben shakes his head up and down in unison)

TYLER: Nice meeting you guys! Skip my morning brew? Not a chance. My coffee is my morning courage, my wake-up juice, my main reason for crawling out of bed in the morning!! Well, you get the idea.... (A huge smile spreads across his handsome face) Besides, Jack has often spoken to me about you both and I was looking forward to meeting you guys.

JACK: Tyler has a new job position with Lockheed Martin over in Titusville. Just when we old fogies are wrapping it up on the job scene, this guy is still focusing on our future!

BEN: Tell us more, Tyler.

TYLER: Well, it’s kind of boring but, I began working for Lockheed Martin in Portland quite a few years ago and have been waiting for the right position to come along here at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company on the coast. Yep, think of me as the Big Geek from Oregon. I’ll understand.

CARL: Interesting. Geeks are important elements of our society today....certainly not boring!

TYLER: With my background in engineering and love of space and uncovering the positive aspects that bode well for the future of mankind....I always knew that my new position would allow me to expand on all of the above. As one of their many slogans goes, “Lockheed Martin builds the technology that gets things done in space.” I always wanted to be a part of that team. Besides, living in Florida isn’t all that bad either!

JACK: That’s little Tyler in a nutshell. (He grins after taking a long sip of his cooling latte)

BEN: Married, Tyler? Any kids?

TYLER: Yep! Been married to the most beautiful and gracious woman for going on twenty years now. Children....well, no. We weren’t blessed with any of our own, unfortunately. With Claire’s job as a graphic artist keeping her busy, we’ve just allowed life to run its course. 

CARL: (He bears a kind yet quizzical look as he stares at Tyler) Brilliant! I have been introduced to my first bona fide rocket scientist after all these years living near the Space Coast of Florida. Are you over here looking for a new house by any chance, Tyler? 

TYLER: That’s certainly on my list of ‘To Do’s’ this trip, Carl. I wish Claire had been able to join me, though. Oh, well....glad she likes my taste, guys!! 

CARL: Maybe you wouldn’t mind a forty-five minute drive to Titusville because our home is available right now and not too far from Jack’s. Being on the east side of Orlando with the Beachline Expressway, the 528, right out our door, the commute wouldn’t be all that bad. 

JACK: I told him about your beautiful house this morning and we drove by it on the way over here. 

TYLER: I will have to check it out, Carl. It’s a nice place and having a pool sounds very inviting. Claire does have a pool on her ‘want list.’ And, living near my favorite cousin...

JACK: (Smiling) Only cousin!

TYLER: ...and his kids would be a huge bonus! Claire would enjoy learning about what the area has to offer with Lauren as her guide, Jack. Theme Parks, maybe. Best shopping malls, definitely! Come to think about it, this job change could be extra costly for me in the long run! 

(The small party of old friends and new finish their coffee and offer best wishes to Tyler for his new job and life experiences while shaking hands. Jack and Tyler say their good-byes and head toward the front door of the little coffeehouse after Tyler assures Carl he'll be giving his realtor a call, soon.)

BEN: (Gently places his hand on Carl’s arm) My friend....let’s get another cuppa joe for ourselves and sit and talk for a while longer. Well, you talk and I promise to listen. You, Jill, and your girls all mean the world to me and I can only imagine what you and Jill are going through right now.

CARL: Your friendship means a lot, Ben. Thanks for being here for me. Guys always want to think of themselves as macho and won’t allow themselves to show their vulnerable side. But, even we can be prone to the misery of Family relationships.

BEN: Serious stuff. (Pushing his open palm out towards his friend) Sit still. This one’s on me. I’ll be back with a steaming hot, jolt of courage in a few minutes and we’ll talk....

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved