Barb

it’s christmas eve and it is snowing on my beautiful planet of philadelphia, on the first christmas eve i will work in years. be for fkn real and weigh out all the options. would you rather commute via: walk 3 miles in the snow at 7:30AM (basically from grindcore south to ortleibs), rely on septa (the 47 or 57), or get in your 2008 hyundai elantra with 212,711 miles on it (failed inspection sticker, heat does not work properly, breaks sounding a little crunchy in this snow), or $40 uber to work? i almost decided to walk but i braved the weather and my breaks even though my beautiful planet of philadelphia does not preemptively salt the roads. i was raised in a place where one, “pumps fists, not gas” and where they are liberal with the salt. personally, i don’t mind working holidays because the girl math in my head for being paid (and paid extra at that) to come a job i was going to do anyway and to have more time to avoid the town i grew up in, the family that raised me, and the shadow of the person i used to be and a facade of sorts i have to step back into when i leave the life i built here is almost a no brainer. besides, i am ”just a barista.” a dish pit goblin. and i like it. can i tell you something? coffee is the new booze, and i will allow you to quote me on it. everyone is getting sober these days, but not entirely straight edge XXX, so caffeine is the new thing and i think once specialty cafes get onto the later hours wave they will be giving some of the most popular dive bars a run for their money. for what is better than a cigarette and a beer, you may ask. a coffee and a cigarette, obviously. i’m trend setting for 2025. i’m forecasting. i’m not wrong. it’s the day before the birth of the Lord and i am predicting the future of hot bean water.  let’s circle back to this when you tell me i am right. we’re bumping christmas music. i’m elbow deep in dish, i’m cleaning up croissant crumbs. i’m wearing a festive vest, hand made (by myself) christmas ornament earrings, i’ve got a headband on with reindeer antlers on it. don’t tell anyone but between you and i…i look stupid. but cute stupid, like a dog in a purse. endearing. giving a “$5 tip on a $3 coffee pwwwwwease it’s christmas eve” kind of smile with every cup. later in the shift my boss shows up and i give her a christmas gift: seasons 1 & 2 of the simpsons, on dvd (collectors edition) from my personal collection (thrifted: philly aids thrift, 2022. $4.99 per season) a dope find. often, i will rehome sentimental items from my various collections, my little treasures, to the people in my life i think they would be a good fit for and she is the perfect person to gift them to. before i know it, it’s 1:00 and we get to close the cafe. easy money. the snow has melted, which is kind of disappointing because it means i ~can~ and i ~will~ drive to my dad’s house later. i find a perfect spot right outside of my apartment before packing up and loading my car because everyone is gone, and here i am. i am here. i am home. there is a beautiful little life that i live and it kisses me on the cheek by offering me good parking and a clear sky. the longer i sit in the car, the later i go to new jersey. so i smoke a joint in the car and listen to christmas wrapping. eventually, i start driving over the walt whitman, to my beautiful home planet of new jersey and i wonder if it’s too late to turn around and open the cafe back up.