Sweet Sixteen

Today I said “see ya” to my Homer’s Coffeehouse co-workers for the last time as a barista. It’s weird to think that I’m really done pulling shots, steaming milk, playing rainy songs on rainy days, listening to everyone’s stories like a bartender, saying “are you getting your usual?” to a regular, kicking out the trouble makers, consoling the wounded ones, and basically keeping the peace. Jim Mathis hired me in 2004 to work the afternoon shift, and everything that happened during those sixteen years has been a source of comfort and torture… but I guess that’s just the human experience for those of us lucky enough to go through it with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that wear holes in our sleeves. Homer’s will open without me next Monday, and that’s ok.