Tall regular coffee, please.

Mar 10, 2008 - 18:45 PM PST

She looks like I know her, by the window. I sit four away and two across. She stares out through the window, off into the distance, contemplating moments past, the complexities of life she questions. Several glances a minute, I hope to catch her stare. In one timeless second, I do, and I flash a quick smile sheepishly, instantaneously diverting my glance as if the encounter were by accident. My heart pounding as I fumble with my cup, I count the seconds until I can return to her gaze. I return, and she stares at her cup spinning it robotically as if she were lost in a daydream. Again time passes and with each passing moment I feel myself drawn to her more and more. The mystery of her identity envelopes her, accentuated by the layers of her tumbling black curls careening down around her shoulders. Donning a light blue sweatshirt, her simplicity only draws me in, now entranced & intrigued by her. Flashes of the thought of approaching her pulsate through my mind, as every thought matches the beat of my pounding heart. The fear of her reaction to me only elevates the intensity of my already out of control pulse. The beauty of attraction, and the vulnerability involved both excite and terrify me at the same time. The angle of her glass as it approaches her lips indicates our time “together” is drawing to a close as the bottom of her cup continues its inevitable trek toward the café ceiling. After a quick assessment of my diminishing moments here with her, I contemplate approaching her in her last moments four away and two across. My heart racing, breathes short and forced, my stomach flipping uncontrollably, I imagine myself moving from the chair I have now become glued too. Suddenly, my legs begin to move and my chair slides backward. Now having lost complete control of my limbs, I stand, lifting my cup to my lips hoping for even a drop of moisture to moisten my cotton ball mouth. Heart beating uncontrollably, I begin toward her. Across two…up one…up two…suddenly her eyes raise to meat mine as I approach the third and my heart stops---her soft brown eyes penetrating my soul and leaving me breathless, her lips giving way to the most radiant smile. Slowly losing all feeling in my extremities, I pass the third and come to hers, my heart racing back to life. “Hello.” My voice cracks as I realize I had not prepared anything more than “hello” to say. I stood there awkwardly, shaking, wondering if more words would come from my lips or if she would be kind enough to offer some form of response…