Expensive Coffee

Earlier this week, on my way to the library, I decided to stop into Starbucks. It was a chipper morning, and the eager, young barista asked, "What can I get you?” For whatever ridiculous reason, I decided to stand there and look at the menu. Why? I don’t know; maybe because I wanted to entertain the idea that I would order something besides my usual mocha latte w/an extra shot of espresso.

"Would you like a suggestion? “, I hear a voice ask. I look up and see a rather tall, lanky, older man dressed in a business suit, standing behind me. He extends his hand out to me, "My name is Dick.” I resist the schoolgirl urge to laugh. I offer him my hand for a handshake, "My name is Liz"; and I smile at him. "Did you just move here?" he asks me. "Yes", I say, and the juvenile side of me takes over and I giggle. "You have a really amazing smile, you should know", he adds.  At this point, my defenses are up slightly. The man has a good 25 years on me.

"Do you ever ride the train?" he asks.
"Yes", I replied.


I was slightly concerned he was there to arrest me because I train hop frequently without paying. I remembered what Jeremy, (the lawyer), once told me; Keep your mouth shut. You don’t have to admit to anything. The man hands me a business card:

Dick Ruddell
Executive President/TRE

“That’s my train”, he says.


I nod my head to let him know I understand what he said, and exercise my right to remain silent. The barista comes back. She’s not so chipper this time and I don’t blame her; “Did you decide what you want?” she asks me.

“A grande mocha latte w/an extra shot of espresso”, I politely answered.
“I’ll have the same”, my new friend said to the barista.

“Are these going on the same order”, she asked.

"No."
"Yes."

“Let me pay for your coffee, Liz”, Mr. Ruddell said.  I stood there, confused, wondering why he wanted to be so generous. “It’s the least I can do for you, sharing that pretty smile and giving me a few minutes of your time today. Not to mention, you gave me a new drink to try.”

“Okay”, I obliged, cautiously.

He gave the barista his credit card. She charged him for the coffee drinks, then handed us our mocha lattes.

“Thank you”, I said.
“You’re more than welcome. My number is on the card. Call my office if you ever need anything.” Then he opened the door, allowing me to exit first.

“It was nice to meet you, Liz.”

“It was nice to meet you too Mr.Ruddell,” and I began my trek to the library. In the back of my mind, I wondered how much he felt I owed him. Suddenly, I felt like I was holding a rather expensive coffee.