Painting by the Artist, Evan Georgi

Hair

Pulling up to the stop light is when I first saw her. Or I thought it was her. I just glanced to my right to see who was in the car next to me. I think that is common. Hey, I’m not a creep just because I like looking at women. Well, I suppose it depends on what you think is creepy.

Medium brown complexion and dark glasses, heavy, dark eyebrows, and a scarf wrapped tightly around the hair. Two seconds, then I looked forward and the light went green so I moved off. It was late morning and I had just come from a doctor’s appointment. Everything had gone well and I felt great; the sun was shining and I thought I’d stop at a favorite coffee shop for, yeah, a cup. I thought I’d take a shortcut but the shortcut was blocked by construction, so I had to reroute, taking another 10 minutes. Finally I pulled into the parking lot, and thought I recognized the car of the woman with dark glasses. For no particular reason I was intrigued. Of course, dark glasses are intriguing.

I skipped up the three steps and walked inside. As I sauntered over to the coffee bar I scanned the small café’ and saw the dark glasses and head scarf against a wall, alone at a table for two, with a cup of coffee and an open book. I ordered my usual medium Café’ Americano decaf pour-over. And a brownie. Of course a brownie. The barista who I see all the time when I go in there, but never…