I didn't drink coffee
until after highschool
that summer I took
a new job at River Marina
first morning on the job
Pat Jennings, my new boss asked,
"Do you drink coffee?"
I shook my head
"Well, then you can get started."
I spent the first two hours
taking inventory:
boat parts, spark plugs
numbers I would memorize
while I worked
the rest of the men
gathered around Pat
white styrofoam coffee cups
in hand, listening
to epic stories
two hours later
they broke off
almost lunch time
the next morning
I poured myself a cup
mixed in creamer
and joined them
"I thought you don't
drink coffee," my boss said
I took a sip
grinned, and said:
I do now.
April 29, 2023