The rain finally began as I entered the coffee shop, a deluge. She
asked me again what I’d like, I smiled and told her I was distracted
by the man carrying the microphone. The other one, with the
interesting hair smiled at me twice, and I wished her “bless you” upon
her sneeze. Yet another one walked sideways and bent over studying the
jars of tea like one would circle an interesting rock or new kind of
insect.
On third smile we started a small conversation. Somehow it came up
that I was undercover, a straight man in gay clothing. I told her I
came in because it was raining outside and here there is coffee and
warmth. Here there is slight music and smiling who seem lovely as they
stalk the insect teas. She agreed and thinks the people here are
lovely too. Even a man entered just to ask if it was okay to use the
wifi from his car, which was just around the corner. She smiled and I
think said it would be ok. I couldn’t hear from where I was sitting
with the girl with interesting hair. I finished my cup and the rain
seemed light enough for the remainder of the trek home. I thanked her
for her welcome into a world I had no previous claim to. She used her
charms to say that she found me lovely too, and that I was welcome
there. I was glad to not have regret at not getting her number or
bedding her that moment. I had visited a place I wouldn’t have
normally, and it worked out just fine.