It was a cold morning. Elena's skin was pricked cold during her walk to work. It wasn't a cold that chilled to the bone. The wind was like ice; the cold stayed mostly confined to the surface.

The cold had arrived sooner than expected. She had not worn her wool hat. Wool needed to be handwashed. She would carve time to do that this weekend. Instead she wore a cotton beanie.

As she approached the south entrance of

Bloomingfoods

West, her steps picked up. Her mouth could imagine the house blend coffee washing over it.

Inside it was not warm. They never kept it too warm in the store. But the difference between the inside and outside made it feel warm this morning.

Kevin greeted her as she walked in. He was leaning on his elbows next to the cash register. He had a smile. No customers were around. That's what Elena liked about this part of the shift. The pace.

slow

.

The two said good morning. Exchanged a few comments about how each other were doing. And then Elena gleefully said she was going to get herself a coffee. She took out her stainless steel thermos. Pushed down the spigot. Watched the first bits of

coffee

splatter against the bottom walls of the thermos. Then watched as the rest of the coffee joined smoothly into the rising pool of black liquid.

The rest of the world disappeared as she watched her thermos fill. All that occupied her perceptions were the hot liquid, the steam, and a feeling of peace.