Return of the Dead.

Dear Mom,

I cried for the first time in front of a customer. It was the most embarrassing display of affection, considering he is the grumpiest old man in the world.

Do you remember me talking about him?

Well about 6 months ago he stopped coming in for his sandwich and coffee. All of us missed being cussed out by him every day and we began to worry that something may have happened to him. Another fellow Barista even checked over at the gym to see if he had been in there, which they informed us he had not. We had pronounced him dead.

While I was on my lunch break downstairs I heard this old voice colorfully order their venti coffee and sandwich. I literally flew (more like fell) up the stairs to see if it was him. Immediately my eyes teared up because it was like the walking dead and I felt so stupid. There is no way he would ever be able to appreciate my affection.

When I asked him how he's been here's what he told me:

"I was in jail.. and don't believe what she says..I didn't do it."

Later I heard him tell another Barista he had extreme and painful surgery on his left pinkie toe, so thanks for being concerned.

The truth? He flew south for the winter and the extremely likely possibility completely escaped my mind.

It sort of reminded me of what life will be like when [if] I get to see you again. Our reunion I imagine would colorful in a completely different way and I can barely wait for that day to arrive.

I love you.

Your Daughter,
Deborah