#adxbailey

He often wondered how many more people there were in Lanford that he didn’t yet know. People he might’ve seen around for a while, perhaps even when he was still very young, but hadn’t spoken to. Such as the case with the man he was approaching with a steady gait, making a beeline over towards him now that he had the opportunity. “Hey,” he said, holding a paper bag of dog treats close to his chest. “I know you have a dog. This is for your dog.” He extended the folded package towards the man, waiting for him to take it.  It wasn’t the best way to start their first conversation with, given his straightforwardness, but he hoped it would do. 

“How are we doing tonight, Ade?” he said as he walked over to his regular booth, the one near where the man in question often sat. He didn’t enjoy crowded shops as he found it difficult to focus on his work there, which was primarily the reason why he went to coffee shops in the first place, if not for the excellent pastries and shots of espresso they would come with. To come here after hours then became the best option, especially on nights where he couldn’t surrender to sleep. “Haven’t seen you around here in a while. Or we keep missing each other.”

It wasn’t often that Nora could relax during her lunch. More often that not, she was spending it grading papers, reading essays or prepping for the next day. She often ate lunch in her class, avoiding her colleagues to the best of her abilities, which was easier than she wanted it to be - considering she didn’t socialize much with them as much as she wished she would. But, dealing with teenagers and then talking to teenager-like adults didn’t mix well with her, since they always had something to complain about. Nora loved her job, and she took pride in knowing she was shaping the next generation for the better - at least she hoped she was. She sat in the coffee shop with the two drinks she ordered, as well as the toasted sandwiches, and waited for the only person who shared the same pain and agony of being surrounded by kids all day and she hoped to find some sort of relieve before she had to head back.