i knew him when
he was a photo major, and a then-boyfriend's lazily-mohawked roommate.
now he works at the coffee shop around the corner, toasting bagels and barista-ing it up most weekday mornings.
the first interaction was stunted by surprise, shock, stun. omg! what a small world! haven't seen you in ages! hope all is well!
i was in my sweats, not working on a weekday, pretty obviously unemployed. he was behind the counter. we were even. it was okay.
the second, third, fourth interactions were cordial but polite, friendly but business-only, not sure what the requirements or expectations were. we-knew-each-other-when.
this morning, i'm "working from home" — vaguely and mindlessly paying attention to my email while i drink coffee at this little shop and attempt to be otherwise productive.
the place emptied out after the morning rush (comprised of the usual patrons who deserve a post all their own). the din quieted and the modest mouse became apparent over the speakers. a short night's sleep merritted [sic] a second cup.
again, i'm greeted with in-this-case-not-so-unusual over-the-top glad tidings. welcomed, of course. always. "is that your photography on the walls?" "um, no. that's this girl's work." he points to a leaflet i should have seen and continues, "i don't print much these days. most of my stuff just sits on my computer. you know, haha, because it does a lot of good there!" a faint whiff of an acute ache seeped into the conversation. "haha, oh... so, last time i talked to you, which was like for two seconds, " i continued awkwardly, "you were going back to school?" more of a question than a statement. "yeah! that'll start up in the fall." "nice! for more photography stuff?" "no, actually. engineering."
... a moment of consideration ...
"oh! wow, what brought about that change?" "um, it's something that's always been on the back burner." there was something else behind that. i could vaguely pinpoint it. i questioned further, "what kind?" "electrical." "huh!" "yeah, it's always interested me..."
and then i got it. his voice said, "yeah, it's always interested me..." but his face/eyes/words between the words said, "yeah, welcome to the land of broken dreams."