Coffee and Time Travel

Dear Ian:

I can't remember the first time that I had a cup of coffee. But I know it was awfully darn young. And probably at St. Elizabeth's Church in New Duluth. I do know that it was a pretty big deal. I think it cost 25 cents for the "donation." And, in reality, to call it a cup of coffee is really stretching the truth a bit. It was more like a cup of warm milk, with a little coffee on top, and a whole lot of sugar. The concoction was really a dipping place for really bad cinnamon cake donuts. I think great-grandpa John called them sinkers.

The made me feel important. Like an adult. This may or may not have been a good thing. I am still not sure. I drink the coffee black now. I have a donut, maybe, once every eight months. Most of the time, I have to wait in line for 10 minutes to get the coffee.

Those in front of me order things like lattes, cappuccinos, and other sugary, gooey, whipped creamy energy "potions." They pay upwards of four dollars for this privilege. As much as my syrupy sweet cup o' joe made me feel more like and adult, I wonder if all these lattes make them feel younger, more comfortable and protected.

Like I did, in the church basement, kneeling on the church folding chairs to make myself taller. Listening to the grown ups talk church politics and plan fishing trips.