High trimmed oaks with dark green and a speckling of yellowing leaves struggle against the blandness, almost succeeding. But above their quiescent, domed heads a gray, cloudy sky fights back, forcing their colors to remain muted and dull.
It's so still and quiet.
A few cars drift by in front of the cafe, moving left to right or right to left depending on which shop is the next destination. Haircut? Groceries? Breakfast? Laundry?
A young man in worn jeans and a brown plaid shirt with the tails hanging out walks by in front of the cafe, lights up a cigarette and leans against the stone pillar. He has white ear bud wires dangling from his skull, down the back of his collar and into a device in his back pocket. I wonder who or what is he waiting for. What is he listening to?
I wish him well in my head.
I wonder if his day will be one to remember or just another one he won't be able to recall. Does his wife pick him up from just having a haircut or is he waiting for a cab to take him to his first day in boot camp. His first day away from family and friends.
Just now a complete stranger, an elderly man with short wisps of white hair peeking out from a well worn Marine ball cap passes by my perch and catches my eye through the glass. He nods, smiles and tilts his head in silent greeting. I nod back and give him a quick, casual salute.
He returns the salute, a little less casual than mine and continues on. He's on his way to the Mamma's Daughters, the breakfast cafe a few steps away. He looks like a two eggs over easy, hash browns, bacon with biscuit and sausage gravy kind of guy. And coffee. Strong. Black and bitter, please.
That smile lifted the grayness just a bit.
It's time to get my own day started.
Smile. It's good for your face and your soul.
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