Three Rules

“Regi!” The barista called out.

I looked up from my phone, fake smile plastered on my face as I reached out and grabbed the coffee from the young woman. She smiled as I grabbed my coffee and just as quickly turned to her next task. The barest moment of human interaction necessary as she turned to make the next drink. Our moment expired milliseconds after our transaction was concluded.

I missed the days when people took the time to get to know each other.

I took a step back from the counter and stole a glance at the line of customers waiting to put their order it, buried in their phones. The Coffee Hound crew, buzzed around like bees behind the counter trying to stay above the wave of incoming orders. The flurry of activity held no life as I watched the man working the register repeat the same greeting and each customer stepping away from their digital daze just long enough to order their caffeinated fix of choice.

The wave of relaxation washed over me as the rich dark warmth of my latte passed my lips. This same scene had played out in front of me countless times and I wasn’t sure why it suddenly bothered me. Or why I was standing there gawking at the line when I far more pressing matters on my mind.

Like why was I buying a latte when I couldn’t afford this month’s rent?

“Excuse me.”

I turned to see a woman holding out a small black notebook. She was smiling at me and it reached her sparkling green eyes as she looked up at me.

“I believe you dropped this.” She said.

I tilted my head in confusion at her for a moment, my lips down turning instantly in suspicion. “I’m sorry, that’s not mine.”

She took a half step closer, nearly pressing the book against my chest in the process. “I saw this slip from your backpack. Something tells me that you need this.”

“Look, I -”

Her grin widened as she grabbed my free hand and pressed the black moleskin journal into my hand. There was a kindness and warmth on her face that stole the words from my mouth. She closed my fingers around it and nodded once, before turning around and walking out.

A man stepped between us, glowered at the barista and looked at his watch.

“Pardon me.” He mumbled without looking my direction.

I stepped around him towards the door but the woman was gone. Vanished.

Ok, that’s weird.

Customers flocked towards the pickup counter and I had to back off to make room as their drink orders were filled. The journal felt heavy in my hand and for a moment I felt like I should give it to one of the baristas. Just in case the owner came back for it. I started towards the counter when a woman bumped into me. Hot coffee splashed my arm and the journal fell to the floor.

“Ugh, seriously? Watch where you’re going.” She scowled at me and walked off.

I bent down to retrieve the moleskin journal and froze at the words plastered across the open page.

“Secrets to making twenty-thousand dollars in twelve hours.”

Ok, maybe I should take a look inside. There could be the owner’s contact information.

I snatched the book up and grabbed an empty seat at the window and plopped down. A wave of guilt and doubt rushed over me as I open the book and I tried to believe my own justification as I read the contents.

Hi, my name is Sami. I want to keep things short and most importantly, simple. This journal didn’t find you by accident. It’s magic. Whether you believe in magic or not, it believes in you - so enjoy a piece of good fortune. There’s a saying that money doesn’t buy happiness. I believe that’s true, to a point. Money definitely helps us along the road.

And I’m willing to pave that road with green. Know what I mean?

What’s the point you might be asking? Well, simple. Within are three simple tasks, which I hope will inspire you to lead a happier life. Complete these three things and I will deposit twenty thousand smack-a-roos in your bank account. Don’t worry. If you don’t have a bank account I’ll get the cash to you, all taxes paid. Also, I’m not a Nigerian prince, this isn’t a scam.

Three things. Three simple things for twenty thousand dollars. Sound good? Excellent. Keep going.

So what do you have to do? Follow these three rules.

“Rule #1 - Being Kind.”

Don’t overthink it. Just do something nice for someone. Preferrably someone you don’t know.

“Rule #2 - Being True.”

This one is hard. Probably one of the most difficult. What is it that you are lying to yourself about or to someone else? Admit it openly. Then promise to make the change.

“Rule #3 - Being Present”

This is the most difficult task. It’s hard but the most rewarding. Talk to someone. However, listen to them. Really listen and invest yourself in the conversation. Lose yourself in the moment and their words. Who knows where it will take you.

Now, I know this all sounds crazy, and more importantly, how am I supposed to get twenty thousand dollars to you. I have to admit, there are actually five tasks. The fourth and most important one is to just trust. Trust me, trust others around you, and most importantly trust yourself.

Then pass this along to the next person who needs to see this. Trust me, you’ll know it when you see them.

I closed the journal and shook my head. It all felt like the musings of a junior high kid or some chain letter but there was something in the way the woman looked at me, the happiness in her eyes that made me consider these silly rules.

“I’m sorry ma’am, do you have another card? This one doesn’t appear to be working.”

I looked up to see the cashier, a forced smile plastered on his face as he addressed a young man. He was flustered as he fumbled for his wallet and gave the girl next to him a shaking grin.

What the heck? It’s not like I’m making rent this month anyway.

I walked to the counter as the young man fumbled, obviously embarrassed at his inability to pay for coffee with his date. He started to stammer about how his check must not have cleared as I arrived. I handed my debit card over to the cashier.

“Here, I’ve got this.”

He looked up at me with a look of confusion, embarrassment, and a hint of anger. I returned it with a wide grin as the cashier took my card. I placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder.

“Hey man, we’ve all been there. The bank holds on to our money a day or two longer than normal and boom - coffee denied.” I said.

The look on his face told me that he wasn’t being totally truthful with his date but I had to admit I’ve been there too. I leaned in and whispered into his ear. “Hey, you miss one-hundred percent of the shots you don’t take. But you have to make sure you put in the practice time. Make sure you save a little bit of that green so you can play when it’s really important, ok?”

He looked at me, a bit of shock on his face as he processed what I said. Slowly a smile crossed his face and he nodded.

Man, I wished someone had told me when I was his age to save some money. So many times I spent everything I had on silly stuff and missed out on going places with friends or being able to ask out that special someone I was interested in.

I took my card back and gave a hefty tip. It’s not like I could afford it, but there was something about adding a little bit extra to the bill that made me smile as I thought about how little most of the coffee shop guys must be making.

A grin had spread across my face and I shook it off.

Maybe there was something to these rules. Being kind and being true felt kind of good. What the heck was being present mean though?

Thoughts about my last few conversations with my dad since my mother died raced through my mind. He was lonely, hurting. Just like I was but I don’t know if I could tell you want he said. I only remembered the things he said that I was feeling. The car accident was sudden, and as much as I love my dad, mom was my favorite. We just had a closer bond.

I returned to my seat and sank down into the chair, sipping on my coffee as I retraced my relationship with my dad and my mom. So many times that they had reached out and I was too involved in whatever it was that was ‘important’ at that moment. The bitterness in my heart about how they never ‘got’ me twisted like a knife in my gut.

They tried. They reached out.

And I slapped those hands away.

The earbuds slipped in easily but it felt weird. I bought them to listen to music and knowing a phone call was coming sent anxious quivers through me for some reason. I didn’t know what to say, but as I got up from the table and thought about the rules I realized it wasn’t about me. I didn’t need to say anything. I just need to listen.

I walked over to the drink counter as the barista handed another customer their drink. She looked at me with confusion.

“Is there something wrong with your drink sir?”

I shook my head and handed her the book. “I don’t think I need this any longer.”

She gave me a quizzical look and slowly took the moleskin journal from my hand. “Ummm, ok. Thank you.” She said.

I gave her a smile and walked out the door. I clicked on my dad’s contact information and dialed his number. The line clicked.

“Hey dad, how’s it going?”

“Regi? Good. Everything ok?” My dad said.

“Everything’s fine. I wanted to check in on you. How are you doing? Really?” I’m sorry, I haven’t been the best.” I said.

My phone vibrated from an incoming text message and I opened the notification.

Account ****7531 - Large deposit $20,0000