A toxic tone radiated from the front counter of the bustling coffee shop where Brock stood in line. The young, dark-haired man working the counter was busy taking orders while deftly maintaining a rapid-fire banter with his customers.
“Jim, here’s your fruity Chai.”
“Kris, come get your skim latte and while you’re at it tell me what’s the point? You’re a twig. Go with the whole milk and live a little,” he said turning back to the counter and the next customer.
“Alright, who’s next?” he said looking at the young woman who was standing next in line with an uneasy look saying she was nervous about her pending encounter with the bombastic barista.
“Wow what a day,” he said with an exasperated exhale. His once piercing eyes softened while his body relaxed and melted down into the counter settling in closer to his young customer with a big smile. “How about you?” he said smiling. “How are you doing?”
“Fine,” she said smiling back, her body relaxing with the warm greeting.
“It looks like a nice day out there.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” she said.
“Yep, I sure would like to get out for a bike ride or something on a day like this,” he said kneeling to rest his chin on his folded hands as he looked over at the sunlight streaming in the…
