text: “It can’t be...” “Oh my God! ” “What are you doing here?” “What are YOU doing here?” “It’s good to see you.” “You’re looking good.” “Thank you... it’s been, what--” “Two years.” “I can’t even... fathom that.” “Well, fathom it.” “... I hope you don’t mind, I already ordered.” “Oh, that’s okay--” “Daniel, I’m kidding.” “You looked so serious!” “Of course I waited for you. What do I look like?” “Yourself?” “Good one.” “Have you been here before?” “No. Have you?--Or, never mind...” “I haven’t been anywhere around here in two years.” “Yes, that is true.” “Too true, too true.” “Oof, is that the line?” “I think so... Out the door? I thought this was a coffee shop.” “It’s actually a secret Eminem concert.” “Eminem?! Is that the first person you could think of?” “No comment.” “You’ve changed.” “Shut up, I hate when people say that.” “That you’ve changed?” “They make it sound like change is a bad thing.” “I mean, sometimes it can be a bad thing, can’t it? I know everyone likes to say otherwise, but I know that when my dog died, it was definitely a negative life change.” “Wow, point taken.” “Do you think all change is good in some way?” “Why are you asking me this right now?” “Don’t know.” “Anyway, I can’t answer--I’m trying to figure out what to order.” “You can read that?? It’s all shapes from here.” “You can’t read that? It’s only like twelve feet away!” “You’re proving my point.” “... This is so weird.” “What is?” “Being together. But at the same time, I don’t feel like it’s been that long since we last saw each other.” “Well, two years isn’t that long in the grand scheme of life.” “I think I’m gonna get a matcha.” “Since when do you drink matcha?” “Since I started working at a coffee shop at school.” “Ahh, so that’s how the caffeine addiction started...” “I know, I bet it’s written all over my face.” “What’re you studying again?” “Social psychology.” “Mmm. Freud is such a... funny dude.” “I mean, yeah, but he is a foundational figure in psychology--” “Blah blah blah...” “Rude.” “It’s a joke.” “What are you going to get?” “I don’t know, I probably shouldn’t have coffee. Maybe a tea?” “What kind of tea?” “Green... tea?” “Why do you sound so suspicious when you say it?” “Oh--you don’t want to know.” “At least the line’s moving.” “Well, anyway, social psychology sounds like you.” “I’d hope so.” “I remember in high school you were into serial killers and stuff like that. Y’know, Jon Benet.” “Jon Benet’s not a serial killer.” “You know what I mean.” “You’re international business, right?” “Yes.” “Whatever that means...” “Or, I was-- I actually deferred. I’m gonna take a gap year.” “Really?” “Yeah, just decided.” “Wow. Big decision.” “It just felt like the right thing to do. I wanna focus on myself. Figure out what I want to do.” “Still don’t know?” “Does anyone?” “Okay, that’s a valid point.” “You know I think I want to go to Costa Rica.” “Costa Rica? Where did that come from?” “I don’t know. My aunt went there when she was young. Said it changed her life.” “This is your aunt you live with now?” “The very same.” “I mean, I’m sure it’s amazing there...” “Where do you want to travel?” “I don’t know really.” “You have to know. Everyone daydreams about where they’ll go one day.” “Not me.” “You’re joking.” “Fine. Scotland.” “ Scotland ???” “What’s wrong with Scotland? Costa Rica is just as random as Scotland!” “I mean, Costa Rica makes more sense--” “No it doesn’t, you’re biased!” “I mean, for me it makes more sense. I’ll go--take my camera, fly solo--” “What are you saying, that I wouldn’t belong in Scotland?” “Hey, I’m sorry. You belong in Scotland.” “Thank you.” “I’m thinking of going at the end of this year. Supposed to be good weather.” “Hmm...” “What’s that look?” “What look?” “That one.” “That’s not a look, that’s just my face. I’m thinking.” “Don’t judge me, okay?” “I’m not judging you! Have I ever judged you?” “I don’t know, have you?” “Daniel, please.” “So, are you gonna be a fancy psychologist or something when you graduate?” “I’d have to go to grad school for that, so probably not.” “I feel like that’d be right up your alley.” “Really? I don’t.” “I don’t know--you’ve just always been really smart. Like, academic. I’ve always thought you’ll do something big and important.” “Eesh, I don’t know about that.” “I don’t know why you doubt yourself.” “Can I change the subject?” “It’s a free country.” “Can I ask about your last relationship?” “Well...” “It’s just you were so vague and mysterious over text. I’m kind of dying to know.” “God, you’re always in my business!” “I know, I’m horrible!” “It was only for a few months. We broke up just before I came down to visit. It was okay, amicable, it just got complicated because she graduated--” “She was a senior?” “...yes?” “Okay, go on.” “Why are you so surprised?” “I said go on!” “I attract mature, interesting women.” “Yuck. Go. On.” “There’s not much else. That’s it, actually.” “Boring.” “You asked.” “Well, thanks for bringing me up to date.” “What about you?” “What about me?” “Have you let any man into the impenetrable Frances-Fortress?” “I don’t like the way you worded that.” “Sorry. But have you?” “What does it matter?” “You’re blushing!” “I’m not!” “You totally have.” “I totally haven’t.” “Really?” “Don’t make it weird.” “It’s by choice, then. Sending them on their way...” “I don’t know what makes you say that...” “Do I have to spell it out?” “Look--we’re almost up. Do you know what you want?” “... No, I’ll have to ask what teas they have.” “It says they have green pomegranate, sencha, or peach green.” “Ooh! Peach green.” “I’d have picked the pomegranate.” “Typical.” “No, I’m getting a matcha.” “That’s right--I stand corrected. You’re so unpredictable.” “Are you being sarcastic?” “When have I ever been sarcastic?” “You’re being so sarcastic right now.” “Is it that obvious?” “Is everyone in Canada this sarcastic?” “No, they’re all just terribly, terribly nice.” “It sounds absolutely awful.” “I know, you should come visit me next time.”