Staying Afloat

01 | persistence

"When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Don't give up."

- Roy T. Bennett

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ONE SIP OF coffee and even the largest of my problems were rendered insignificant. I sighed and surrendered to the calmness that enveloped me. Oh yes, I did love my morning coffee.

It had become somewhat of a ritual over the past year, every morning on my way to work I would stop at the café down the street. It was warm and inviting, similar to their coffee. It was a constant in my life, always something I could count on. It was always beautifully chaotic, people rushing and the sound of beans grinding. I could always count on the same people coming, 'the regulars.' I had come so many times over the year that I had been included in this group. I could count on everyone knowing my order; black coffee with a sprinkle of sugar.

It was always interesting to watch people, their repetitive behavior. It could always amaze me that everyone was the same, afraid to break their routine, afraid of change. Every day there were the same group of ladies, they sat in the corner, each nursing a tea. They would each gossip and then leave. I would laugh to myself as I could hear the newest story of Mrs. Herst's "slutty neighbor Krystal." Everything was beautifully similar and I loved it. Until today.

I sat in my regular spot because as much as I hate to admit it, I fell into the group of 'regulars' and I, like them, hated change. I drank my same coffee and listened to the same ladies' gossip behind me. There was a flurry of people bustling about with worry and I took peace in their utter inner turmoil. I was smiling, hearing about how "slutty neighbor Krystal got a Chihuahua and how the pesky thing was always barking" and then a man came in.

I don't know what compelled me to look up but when the bells jingled I did. He stepped into the shop and stood out immediately. He walked with arrogance in every stride and I couldn't seem to pry my eyes away at his complete confidence. I looked around and saw I was not alone, he was a visionary and every person in the coffee shop turned, even Mrs. Herst had stopped her gossiping! His face was unchanging, ice cold gaze focused straight ahead. I couldn't help but comment on the fact that he was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.

His suit was pressed in a way that only a dry cleaner could hope to accomplish. His shoes were brown and made from the finest leather. He would have to be a business man or a lawyer I guessed, and couldn't help but feel animosity towards him, undeserved of course. He emanated wealth and superiority and maybe this was why I immediately didn't want to stand the sight of him. Nonetheless, I couldn't seem to peel my eyes away. His socks were the only thing on his body that could hint towards a personality as they were quite colorful, maybe he was feeling happy today, even if he didn't look the part.

Each stride he took towards the cash was languid and I admired his relaxed pace juxtaposing the pandemonium in the atmosphere. His hair was swept to the side. It was as black as pen ink and thin strands of gray were sprinkled throughout creating a stark contrast. I wondered how this was possible because he didn't look old enough to have gray hairs. His eyes were dark like a storm silently brewing and although I couldn't see them all that well I knew they were as perfect as the rest of him. A slight shadow held a place along his jaw at the perfect length. He had a few freckles on his nose that hinted at past days spent in the sun.

He ordered something incomprehensible and then walked to the counter on the other side of the shop. He turned in my direction, staring into space and I thought that maybe I detected sadness in his eyes, well covered though, in a layer of ice. He took his coffee and left. I heard sighs from multiple women around me, damn, me too sisters.