Monday, June 4, 2007

I just wanted a nice latte

On Saturday morning I woke up with a tremendous headache. I'd had it when going to bed the night before, but attributed it to tiredness, dehydration, and the end of a long work week. After I woke up with it on Saturday it was pointed out to me that it was probably the result of caffeine withdrawal--a valid point since I hadn't had caffeine since Wednesday.
So, off I went to Starbucks. By the time I managed to shower, dress and walk down there it was well past the noon hour. It was also incredibly muggy (when HASN'T it been incredibly muggy recently?) and the sun was downright hot. The six or so blocks to the 'Bucks weren't entirely pleasant.
After arriving at my local coffee house I went to the counter and ordered per normal. I tend to get coffee at this same location three to four (or more) times a week. I noted a woman walking away from the counter with a drink as the only other customer ordering.
I told the barista what I thought would best cure my headache and moved over to the pick-up area. Almost instantly, the barista making the coffee called out my drink. Thinking it had been awfully quick I reached out for the straw, and decided that it must have come so fast since it was iced coffee.
All of the sudden the barista preparing the coffee shouted "that's not yours!" In my headache state I was completely shocked and dropped everything like a hot potato. The lady who I had seen at the counter when I came in (who, mind you, was alone and was already holding one drink and was NOT waiting in the pick-up area) came over and snatched the coffee. Our exchange as follows:
To me: "Oh, did you get the same thing?"
Me: "No. Yes. Yes, I did."
To me: "Oh, sorry."
Me: "Sorry."
Wait awkward amount of time...say 4 seconds"
Me: "Oh, it's okay."
Yeah, it totally sounded like I was reassuring myself that it was okay. The lady who actually owned the drink turned and stared (as I probably would have too. What am I, a sweating, crazy drink-stealer?).
I think I turned an attractive shade of purple and pretended to be really absorbed in studying the coffee cups for sale until my actual drink had been made. The whole exchange made me feel like a home-schooled kid who hadn't been to the big city. Seriously.

1 comment:

Colleen said...

Haha - I just have to say, crap like this happens to me all the time. I mean, getting embarassed because I do something ridiculous:)