COFFEEHOUSE CHATTER ~ ALICE IN SPRINGTIME

A series of essays and chats.....

ALICE IS ENCHANTED BY THE STUNNING NATURAL BEAUTY
OF THIS NEW LAND RECENTLY DISCOVERED

.....as seen through my eyes!

"Those who say there's nothing like a nice cup of tea for calming the nerves never had "real" tea. it's like a syringe of adrenaline straight to the heart!"

~~~The Cheshire Cat, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

The neighborhood coffeehouse is a refuge for those seeking conversation with friends, free WiFi, a cozy corner to create in, a good coffee and tea selection, as well as a little peace and solitude. You, my friends, will be able to come up with many more however, three places that make me feel subdued to the point of gentle whispers and soft, controlled movements are places of worship, libraries, and our local coffeehouse.

You might think otherwise about the noise level within our coffeehouse since most of us gather with the direct purpose of talking, reuniting with old friends, and conducting business. 

Even so, each time I swing open the large, double French doors, my visual consists of pockets of interesting people. Like music to my ears, my audio includes everything from the hissing of the espresso machine to the inquisitive verbal expressions of the barista trying to determine if an order is for 'here' or 'to go.'

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

KEEP CALM AND SMILE
LIKE THE CHESHIRE CAT

 Introduction:

When last I snuggled into the corner seat of our local coffeehouse in order to observe and speculate upon the lives of those around me, I met a girl whom I affectionately named, Alice. Via her actions, I took it upon myself to build a story around Alice which could not be substantiated considering I haven't seen 'Alice' since then. That is, not until today......!

My original thoughts:

ALICE: (Swirling her teabag to the point of frustration. Waiting for someone to join her....soon. Lines crease her forehead. Her young, pretty face aging with each tick of the 'cup-'n-saucer' clock that hangs on the wall above her.) Well, Merry Christmas to me!!! And, I thought I was so smart! He'd better get here soon before I turn into a blubbering, hot mess!! I'm not ready for this. This wasn't planned. This is not how I wanted it to play out for us. Well, he's not going to run. (Her deep blue eyes squinting at the French door entryway) Neither one of us is ready to be a parent.... But, it will work-out. We'll make it work-out together because, damn it....I love him so much!

And, it appears that our beautiful, young Alice has lost her nerve, abandoned her tea and abruptly exited through the swinging French doors! Now, I sit here hoping that I wasn't, actually, right about our sweet Alice. That wouldn't be fair. I hope she's doing okay.

Today, let's listen in on the conversation between Alice, Brian, and Joe......

ALICE: (Speaking on her cellphone) Yes, I just sat down. And, I am not moving one inch until you get here. So, please hurry! It's March; it's Springtime and, I have so much to tell you! Soon, then?

(Sliding her cellphone back into her purse, a looming shadow slips between the sun-filled window and the small table where she sits sipping a tepid mug of decaf pomegranate green tea)

BRIAN: (Leaning on the back of the chair across from Alice) Alice? Alice Monroe? Is that really you, after all this time?

ALICE: What on earth are you doing back here in Small Town, USA, Brian? Didn't you head-off into the hills searching for bigger, greener pastures to graze in? 

BRIAN: Yes, yes I did. Hmm, may I sit down for a few minutes? It looks like you're waiting for someone to join you. But, I am so happy to see you again. May I get you a warm-up on your tea?

ALICE: No, thank you and, I am expecting someone.... Oh, just sit down! You always seem to get your way no matter what I say, anyway! (She instinctively swings her long, blond hair off of her shoulders with an exaggerated twist of her head).

BRIAN: (Gently placing his porcelain mug of strong Colombian brew on the table, he settles in) Alice, it's been over three years now. I never meant to hurt you. You have to know that. We were still so young with so much to think about and life got in the way. 

ALICE: Oh, I see, that's what you're calling it now.....life getting in the way? You've never been one to handle responsibility, Brian. Never. Probably still can't, if truth be told. (Tears welling in her eyes) I loved you! And, you left me. Simple as that. 

BRIAN: I called you, Alice. I wrote to you so often my hand should have fallen off from the effort. You wouldn't return my calls or write me back. I wanted you to join me in California and begged you to come out to see what life could be like out there, together. Eventually, I assumed you despised me for leaving you here and making a better life for myself out West.

ALICE: What I assumed, Brian, was that you loved me, too. That after all we'd been through together, you would never leave here, leave me. (Nervously swirling her teabag around in the chilled brew in her mug, she demurely looks up into his eyes) So, are you doing okay? I mean, are you happy out there?

BRIAN: Yes. (Pause) Her name is, Casey. 

ALICE: Casey....(Rolling the name in her mouth as if it were a glass marble)

BRIAN: She is why I'm back here, Alice. We're getting married the first part of August and I've brought her here to meet my parents and the rest of the family. 

ALICE: (After a long pause) I'm, actually, quite happy for you, Brian. I mean....I knew I could never contain you or your spirit for very long. Even after we lost the baby, our baby, I knew you weren't running away from me. You needed your freedom and you certainly would never find it here, not in this old town, anyway. But, I couldn't leave here. This place is a part of who I am. Kind of my 'comfort zone,' if you will.

BRIAN: Then, you're happy, Alice? (Gently holding both of her hands within his soft touch) I mean, has life been good for you? I've always needed to know. I let time fill-in the gap between us and it seemed to cushion the blow of the unknown for me.

ALICE: I never thought I'd be going down this road again, but I am happy now. Happy, content and ready for the future!! A few months ago I didn't think that was even possible. I was nervous, scared, and paranoid because I felt like I was reliving the past....our past to a certain extent. And, I was. My fear was that this small town girl would never grow-up and would always be hiding behind her emotions instead of building off of them. By, God! I have grown-up, haven't I?

BRIAN: Reliving our past, Alice? What do you mean?

(A deep, resounding voice hovers above startling both of them)

JOE: Well, if I were a jealous man, I would be asking you, sir, to step outside right about now! But, I know my Alice and there has to be a reasonable explanation for you two playing patty cake and looking so serious. (With a grin on his face, he extends a large, calloused hand for Brian to shake)

ALICE: (A loving smile spreading across her pretty face) Hi, Joe! This is, Brian...Brian Ryder. Brian, I would like you to meet Joe Saunders, my fiancee! 

(When Alice stands up to give Joe a kiss on his cheek, we see the faintest curvature of a 'baby bump' as she protects herself from hitting the table or spilling her tea)

ALICE: (Softly whispering into Joe's ear) The doctor says our baby is doing well and we'll get to meet him or her in early August! Couldn't be better timing.

JOE: I love you, Baby!

Okay. So, I was absolutely right while observing 'my Alice' last December. But, it wasn't such a horrible story for her, after all. Life takes time for us mere mortals to finally figure out. Somehow, we usually do....or, die trying! Now, I'm wondering what they'll name the little tyke. I'll keep sitting in my little corner and soon enough, I will find out!

Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

GRATEFUL.....

A series of essays.....





~~BREAKING THROUGH THE MORNING FOG~~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


When I swing my legs out of bed each morning, before they remotely make contact with the carpeting, there is a small and concise ritual I go through in order to jump-start my day.  With our mornings remaining dark...cozy even, until well after six-thirty, the atmosphere is conducive to a relaxed mood and a clear mindset. 

This is my time to converse with that which I believe to be the all-connecting power that is greater than myself and unites us, mankind, together as a whole; one entity that defines our existence and qualifies our essential nature.  I have always accepted that we are not set upon this beautiful place we live, Mother Earth, alone and helpless. We will always have and need one another.

So, my ritual is one of Thanksgiving....and here all this time you thought this celebration only lasted one day, the fourth Thursday in the month of November, and called "Turkey Day!!"  Not exactly.  I sit comfortably with my shoulders back, my back straight and eyes closed.  When I am ready, after taking several deep, intoxicating breaths, I repeat out loud, as often as I wish, two simple words...two words we teach our children to say whenever they are grateful for something...a new toy, an unexpected surprise or a simple compliment.  I say, "Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!"  Very straightforward.

After all, it's pretty wonderful to be able to move, sit-up and breathe each morning, isn't it?  We are alive to meet-and-greet yet another day and that, in and of itself, is intrinsically cool! 

Opening my eyes to the new day, it's now time to formulate a simple plan for myself.  It's time to set my intentions for the day.  Yes, making coffee as soon as possible is a good plan.  More of a mandatory requirement for my well-being and sanity rather than a good intention, however.  My thoughts are more in terms of having a purpose or a goal set for the day and to design a strategy with the intent of achieving it with grace and dignity.  My goal may be as uncomplicated as intentionally sharing a smile with everyone I meet or being productive and focussed enough to write two-thousand words by the end of my workday.  Whatever my purpose is, my intent is to see it through to fruition knowing that if I do not..., I will not beat myself up over it.  I will only try harder the following day.

This is now the time that I sit back and smile, smile, smile as big and wide as I possibly can!  You know the kind of smile I'm talking about.  The kind that raises your cheeks up high, fills your body with warmth and makes you feel a bit silly sitting alone in the dark looking like the Cheshire Cat on a good day!  With his distinctive and mischievous grin, you can almost hear this Tabby Cat's quote from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' published in 1866, and remains prevalent today: "Most everyone's mad here.  You may notice that I'm not all there myself."

The Cheshire Cat
Illustrated by John Tenniel in the 1866
Publication of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

I cannot take myself seriously this early in the morning!  But, I know that my intentions are good and smiling makes me feel good.  So, if  during this long, complicated day, I feel as though my body wishes to disappear from time to time, the last thing visible on my face will be an iconic grin depicting a win for the 'good guys!'

Florida Essentials

Before slipping my waiting feet into the tan, Crocs flip-flops, affectionately known as 'my slippers,' in order to begin my day (by making a fresh pot of coffee), there is one last step to be taken in my morning ritual.  This is the time for me to forgive myself and ease my guilt over  yesterday's mistakes.  I remember the goal of two-thousand words yesterday that only added-up to be five hundred.  Perhaps my smiles were not as lavished upon others as I had originally intended.  Was I a bit too short-tempered with a loved-one who made an innocent mistake? 

This is where you set yesterday's misguided actions aside and actually try to understand Scarlett O'Hara's mantra from the classic movie, 'Gone with the Wind,' based on the novel written by Margaret Mitchell.  "I can't think about that right now.  I'll think about that tomorrow.  After all... tomorrow is another day."  The idea of putting things off for another day always represented inadequacy in the form of  failure or shame.  Placing my stubbornness and strong will aside for a moment in order to see a much broader picture of the world, and having lived, well....., let's just say, a few years now beyond my twenties, the importance of being patient and more tolerant becomes normal and acceptable.  Especially when dealing with myself!

As soon as I realize that there is yet another chance of 'getting it right' and my deep breaths represent twenty-four new hours of hope and determination, it's easy for me to forgive myself for yesterday's mistakes.  It's time to move on....




My Favorite Mug!!

Now, sitting here sipping my coffee and having placed my day, my life, in order, I realize how cherished these few minutes alone each morning really are for me.  Between the tantalizing aroma of the fresh brew and the prospect of a new day, a new beginning.... and with a  smile on my face the Cheshire Cat would certainly be proud of, I remain calm and carry on.

Author's Note:
I am extremely grateful for being able to witness this morning the highly successful launch of the Orion Spacecraft test flight over in Cape Canaveral a few miles away!  Awesome, NASA!  And, continued good luck....



Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved