How I Became A Coffee Drinker

I was at work, sitting at my desk, wishing the hours would go faster. All that I could think about was enjoying the weekend. I looked over at the front counter and I saw this ancient lady who was hardly tall enough to reach her head above the student services counter. She had an oxygen machine in hand. “Would you be kind enough to get me some coffee... coffee with ice.”

I asked, "…like iced coffee?" She said, "No, not iced coffee... just hot black coffee with ice,” she said. “I heard there was coffee in the library but I don't think I can walk or make it all the way over there with my oxygen machine to get me some.”

I responded with, “Well, of course.” Thinking to myself that I didn’t want this lady to pass out or stroke out or have a heart attack or something traumatic that would not make this Friday any better. I quickly walked to the college library, laughing all the way there. I made it to the library and the librarian asked me if I was getting all caffeinated up.

“No, it’s not for me. It’s for someone in our student services lobby. I guess I'm taking coffee orders now.”

Laughing, she joked, “What do you think this is Dunkin Donuts?” I grabbed the coffee and quickly walked back to get ice from the staff freezer. Then I walked back to the lobby to deliver the coffee to her. She looked up at me with a blank stare in her eyes.

“Coffee? It’s far too late in the day for coffee but thanks for the offer, “she stated.

She had clearly forgotten her request just five minutes before. I turned around and laughed under my breath. I sipped the coffee with ice and that is how I became a coffee drinker myself!