Question: How embarrassing is it to be crying over a book, at Starbucks, of all places?
Answer: Very.
Which is why I didn't. But I did have the overwhelming urge to tear up as I got to the end of my book. Then the music of Jack Johnson snapped me out of it as I suddenly realized I was at Starbucks, and not the comfort of my own home. Oh, how I do enjoy a good book with coffee on sundays.
Speaking of starbucks, my neighbor pissed me off today. Ok, pissed off is a bit harsh, I would maybe turn that down 60%. My neighbor, who practically lives at starbucks, who I see everywhere and can't seem to get away from, today became annoying. There's been several times when I've been reading on Sunday mornings at Starbucks where he would come over to me and try to make conversation. Usually, I would return the usual chit chat, ALWAYS feeling quite uncomfortable, but would be polite nontheless, even as he interrupts my Sunday morning reading time, even as it is perfectly obvious that I am engrossed in my book and do not care for conversation or interruptions, except for the occasional sips of coffee. During the silences between our chitchat, I'd usually continue to read my book, trying to make it obvious that I'm reading, while he hovers over me thinking about the next question to ask me. Usually, I'll somewhat engage. Today, he crossed the line.
As I was walking towards starbucks, he already saw me and said hi to me. I did not take this to be a good sign. Usually I'm not even aware that he's there until he creeps up on me, today, I was aware of his presence even before I started. However, by the time I sat down with my coffee, he was nowhere in sight in the store, so I got a good solid half hour of time alone. That is, until he came in and said hi. And then proceeded to hover over me as he talked about how nice the weather is. Yes, its quite nice, a bit hot now, I say. More hovering. Would you like something to drink? he asks. No thank you, I said, as I pick up my coffee cup to show him the obvious: I already had one. So he leaves to purchase his beverage. During this time, my sister calls me, and now my attention is on our conversation, not my book. My neighbor then decides to pull up a chair next to me, and proceeds to sit a little too close next to me as I'm having a conversation with my sister. It was at the moment that he sat down that I began to cringe and become highly annoyed. Let's go down the list, shall we?
Did I invite him to sit down next to me? Nope.
Did I invite him to engage in conversation with me? Nope.
Did I want him around while I was on the phone, possibly on a very personal conversation (which it wasn't, but it could've been!)? Nope.
He proceeded to sit there until I got off the phone. Even while I was on the phone I contemplated leaving the store, making up some excuse about having to be somewhere suddenly due to the phone call, and it was while I was on the phone that I became angry. Why should I be the one to leave? Why should I have to stress over making up an excuse to leave? Why should I always let him make ME feel uncomfortble? I got to Starbucks first, and I wanted to finish my book in peace, dammit!
So I got off the phone. Picked up my book, and in the politest way possible, said to annoying neighbor, who now seemed to have gotten comfortable sitting next to me with his coffee in hand, ready to pry in on my personal life as soon as I hung up: Do you mind if I just read?
To which he said, sure, but had a look of hurt in his expression. And after a few minutes, said goodbye to me and left.
Of course I feel bad. Of course. I know he's just an old man wanting some conversation and contact with another human being. And yes, I know that I'm not some rock star diva that no one can look at or talk to (a la Dr. Phil). But still, when I want to read, I want to read. Is that so bad?
