“Coffee Time Parade”

By

Gerry Niskern

There’s a place in our city that provides the ultimate passing parade for addicted people watchers. On any day you might see beautiful young women dressed in the latest swishy dresses or no nonsense suits in five-inch backless heels hurrying to grab a latte on their way to the office. Right after them come tired looking men and women, in surgical blues, looking for a cup of strong regular.

While exhausted tennis players enjoy an iced coffee, the morning walkers are ready for iced tea as the overhead fans and refreshing misters keep the 110-degree temperatures bearable.

You’ll see dogs of all breed and sizes in their daily drama of one-upmanship. Some of the large, docile pets would be perfectly happy to play with the smaller canines. However, the mighty midgets feel duty bound to challenge any larger mutt.  Then again, that eternal feud is mild compared to all their mutual hatred for the mailman. The thirsty guy in the unlucky “uniform” is challenged with a chorus of indignant barking.

There’s a few tables shoved together for group meetings. Sometimes it’s the retired crowd trying to make sense of today’s politics.  Or the group is the city detectives having an early breakfast. Then again, it might be a PTA committee planning the next year’s fundraiser.

The “Stay at Home” moms seem to get out a little more these days. The mom’s shrieks of laughter blends with their toddlers giggles as the kids chase, but never catch, the pigeons milling about.

As the morning goes on, a Dial- a- Ride bus pulls up. The side door opens, the hoist comes down and a stalwart little lady clutching tightly to her walker is slowly lowered to the ground. She makes a plucky effort often to attend the “passing parade.”

Pretty apron clad young women from the nearby hair salon chatter as they hurry by between appointments. They’re anxious to grab a designer coffee, but stop to greet regular customers seated at tables they pass.

Two fellows in business suits carry their steaming coffee and plates of gooey, pecan rolls search for an empty table. No doubt they are fugitives from the cholesterol police. I suspect the wives at home thought the heart healthy oatmeal that they prepared for breakfast would hold them until their sworn salad lunch.

A group of nannies from the nearby neighborhood sit at a table surrounded by a circle of designer strollers. Each one containing one or two precious charges thoroughly enjoying their day out too.

My favorite is the kid on the skate board who zooms right up to the entrance, tripping the automatic door opener, jumps off and catches the board as he strides through, all in one spectacular motion.

Where can you watch that unique passing parade? Why, at your favorite morning coffee place.  Note: Cast subject to change without notice.