The Coffee Guy

...is a mexican man with silver teeth. I get my cup of joe from him every morning. It's only a buck and I love the fact that his vendor wagon sits right in front of Starbucks, where as you know, a cup of joe (depending on if it's a latte, a machiato, an expresso, with a shot, without a shot, with soy-you get the point) is approximately $100.00 and some change. So my guy, although we have never formerly introduced ourselves knows me. I know this because he is always friendly, asking me how I am, we chat about the weather, etc. I should say before I even get to this point, I am always, always behind someone that is doing their grocery shopping at this vendor wagon. They get one of each donut, forty cups of coffee, four bacon and egg bagels, and on and on...So it's my turn, after the banter, I ask (I still ask) for my usual and everyday he says, "sugar?" I say, "no." Everyday he tries to put it in a bag and I say, "no." And everyday he insists on giving me a napkin. It doesn't matter if I want one or not. Then at the very end and this is my favorite part, he gives me a thumbs-up. It's one of the cutest things ever. Today, I actually returned his thumbs-up. Right back at ya. Then as I was walking away smiling, these bums asked if I would come over and give them a kiss. And...the moment is over. It's very dangerous to smile in this city. It draws way too much attention.