Just another day
The cafe was empty, or so I thought, however as it was my usual watering place I entered. As I ordered a latte, made with coconut milk, I offered a quip about empty seats, and how I was spoiled for places to sit.
“Not true Michael” came the reply. Henrietta went on to fill every seat in the cafe. “You see Micheal, Jim likes the seat next to the newspaper stand, while Josie always sits on the seat next to the toilet door”. Henrietta filled each seat with images of her customers. In our game she always has the best quip.
This Post Has 56 Comments
Woe betide you take the wrong seat. An empty cafe peopled by love.
There are stories to be found in cafes, even it seems empty ones. Thank you Neil
There’s something very comfortable about the local cafe filled with the local characters.
That is so true. Thank you Iain
We’re all creatures of habit to a certain degree, I guess. I certainly hope he’s not infringed on anyone’s rights there.
Sandra, Henrietta would soon tell me if I step out of line.
Dear Michael,
I could see the two of them playing this game on a regular basis. Great fun. Love this piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
So pleased to read your comment Rochelle. Thank you.
There’s nothing like a comfortable cafe. Great waitress and all.
There are so many interesting cafes, my family think I visit to many of them
Lovely piece, Michael. I love the image of the seats occupied by each and every customer, near and dear.
So glad you enjoyed it Dale.
Obviously written with affection for village life Michael.
I have loved the cafe culture for many years. Then again I am addicted to food.
There are worse vices Michael.
I wonder. Perhaps I should try and write about it.
Why not? Perhaps you could combine your love of food with your love of writing, by penning something about the chef at Greenacres?
Now there a thought, thank you JS
Where everybody knows your name 🙂
I have enjoyed the cafe culture for many years, but atmosphere/mood in everything.
It’s the regulars who make a cafe/pub what it is 🙂
I agree atmosphere is a large part of what makes a good cafe.
Michael is also a regular, where is his seat? Near the toilet or closer to window?
Almost any seat will do for me, but I do like a window seat if available, for I enjoy watching the world.
I love the idea that we leave a bit of us behind wherever we go and that residue builds up when we frequent a place. Visages of ourselves others can sense and see. Nicely done.
Thank you for your great comment. From a very young age, I have been fortunate to frequently visit hotels and cafes. Most of them have given me much pleasure.
My seat is the the one in the corner over . An espresso please Henrietta!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
… corner seat booked, [espresso, how strong]
Very strong double please!
Got it in hand
Teaching is a bit like this. I can still picture some of my old classes. Nice story.
So true… In the past I have often drawn upon my memories from school. Glad that you enjoyed the story,
Im guessing the connection to the chess board is that every piece, like every customer, has its place. A very warm and friendly scene of a restaurant thet is nearly empty but not really.
That is true… but the narrator and Henrietta also play a form of verbal chess.
I always love to people-watch and cafes are some of the best places. Visitors get up and leave but their stories stick around in the empty chairs. Every café should have a Henrietta too. I liked her very much.
I am glad that you like Henrietta. As people come together like in a cafe, then the interest levels often ratchets up. Today I was a passenger on a crowded train, there were many stories to be told.
Ok… I’l take a latte to go then…:-)
To go! that spoils the fun, we need you to stick around a-little, and tell some stories
I wonder if the same customers come every day?
The town has a large number of visitors, I meet people from all over the world. The regulars can be quite thinly spread, like a smear of Marmite on toast.
Beautifully written.
Thank you so much Lisa,
i think he should wait to be seated lest he offends somebody. 🙂
That’s true, I will pass the message on, thank you plaridel
It’s a great comfort to return to the same places to eat and to visit with friends. Your story has lovely atmosphere and warmth.
Thank you Brenda, I appreciated your comment.
Hopefully they are not all ghosts that she can see. Imagine a spirit grabbing your seat. Fun take on the prompt.
A cold chill when down my spine as I read this feedback glad you enjoyed the story.
I like the casual atmosphere your words have created. The local cafe and the friendly banter with Henrietta.
Casual atmosphere is a great way to describe my local cafe, thank you Piyali.
Henrietta sounds like one of those old time Cafe owners/workers who knows everything about the habits of the regulars. I’d keep on going to her place. Nothing like a place that makes you feel welcome.
I do appreciate your feedback. Henrietta is a people person it comes naturally to her. I will try and keep her in my arsenal of characters.
I wonder if Henrietta insists on having the last word only with you, or with other customers as well. A creative take on the prompt.
Hi Magarisa, Henrietta’s ability’s come naturally to her, but I have to admit that she liked honing them against me!
Great fun, Mike. There are chairs in our pub that no one sits in because they are for the regulars.
That is a bit like my dinning table, Your pub sounds Ok. Glad you enjoyed this story.