June 9, 2023 – Want to Watch Me Write a Book? I think that’s what I am going to make this particular section. I don’t know why I feel a need to call it anything, but it is a need. Maybe it’s the way I process my day. I haven’t had what one would call a regular schedule for quite some time. I have also tried extremely hard to break the habit of saying, “I’ve been really busy,” in the same way I try not to apologize out of politeness or say “I’m fine” when I am not, or other throw-away phrases that have become so common. I am not busy – I have found a good many things that give me purpose, and my time is filled with those things. I have been known to say my plate overflows, but I am thrilled that it is (mostly) with things I have put there myself. However, in order to keep that all running, things must have their headers so I know where to put them on my calendar; there has to be a checkbox on the to-do list. This is that…and I digress…
I finally got out of my house. I nearly never leave to work. It is so hard for me to convince myself that it is the best use of my time (not to mention more comfortable). But after the revelation that I do not know my protagonist, it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to get out of my comfort zone and into a different place with different sights, sounds, smells.
I nearly talked myself out of it this morning. First, Mike has things to do, so I have the whole day to myself. Second, it was hard to convince myself that getting out of bed and into the shower was what I wanted to do. Look, pajamas are a gift from the gods of “fuck the rest of your day”. There are very few times that getting out of my pajamas seems like a better option.
But I did it. I left my house. It was not easy. In fact, I almost used the “I have laundry to do” excuse to hold me there. That is desperation. Against my better(?) judgment, I pulled out of the driveway and headed to downtown Savannah.
I could have stayed in Richmond Hill, but my protagonist is not likely to live in Richmond Hill. Seriously, how many unhusband, unchild, unfurrybaby, successful 30-40 somethings are paying a premium on housing to live in a school district that they aren’t going to use?
Off to Savannah I go. My destination: Foxy Loxy. Someone suggested it in response to my “best coffee shop” call out on Facebook. The kid that has decided to come with me is thrilled. Honestly, I am a bit surprised she decided to come at all. She is 16, and I had no idea what this day would entail. “Bring something to do,” I tell her. “I have no idea how long we will be there.” Undeterred, she grabbed her backpack.
Foxy Loxy was a bust. Parking made it a non-starter. We tried. I don’t know how anybody makes plans down here without a buffer of 45 minutes to accommodate a small hike should parking dictate it. I am again considering my life choice of leaving my house.
Parking garages are not the sexiest downtown choice, but they are easy and reliable. Easy and reliable is what I need right now to keep from jumping back on the interstate.
The kid has decided that Coffee Fox is our next destination. There is a love (or at least a fascination) with the network of Foxy Stores in downtown Savannah. They really are super cool spots. I readily agree with her choice as I would like to seize any opportunity to make this outing as pleasant for her as I can manage. Inwardly, I am not holding out much hope. Coffee Fox is located on Broughton, one of the busiest commerce streets in the downtown area. It is also popular in its own right.
As we wait for the signal to cross, I can already see the cargo shorts and fanny packs pushed against the inside of the door. The three small outdoor cafe tables are occupied. “We aren’t staying here if it is crowded,” I tell her. “There won’t be anywhere to sit.” She is visibly disappointed, so I rush to add, “But we will find someplace else.”
As soon as it comes out of my mouth, I am both glad I said it and disgusted. This bullshit is exactly why I do not leave the house. Do you know where isn’t crowded? My Bitch Barn. Do you know where I don’t have to look for parking? My driveway. Know where I don’t have to walk half a mile and wait in line for coffee? My kitchen. If I were alone, I would walk into the Coffee Fox, confirm my suspicions, walk back to my car, and drive back to my pajamas.
Instead, we walk into Coffee Fox, confirm my suspicions, and search for another spot. I do not want to search for another spot. I am beginning to wonder if the “work in the coffee shop” Instagram crowd is fake, posting their curated workstations amid the throngs of caffeine-deprived masses only to snatch up their laptop so that the next #worklifebalance creator can take the spot. I realize I am being unreasonable. If this can be categorized as a waste of time, it is a might bit more productive than watching “Simon Cowell’s Top Ten Reactions” on YouTube, but I never begrudge myself that little treat. I begin to feel a little ashamed of my disdain for walking downtown, on a beautiful June morning, with my kid, on a Friday, with coffee being the only need.
We make our way to City Market towards a cute shop called Bitty and Beau’s. I heard of the shop when it opened. The business model was created to offer employment opportunities to differently-abled adults. If I have ever been in a more asshole-less environment, I don’t remember it. I am silently grateful I began to get my attitude in check before I walked in here. They don’t deserve that type of negativity. Although, I am certain that had I not started to get it together, Max would have handled it himself. This is better than pajamas.
Project Notes:
The timeline – major reason I am leaving the timeline in the present – I don’t want to worry about anachronisms. Honesty, I don’t need that type of pressure.
I am wondering if the coffee shop is the place to work. I mean, it is super cool, and there is no laundry, back porch reading, or easily accessible nap time distractions. But Delta is not here. Or rather, she might have been here two hours before I got here. A quick stop in on her way to work. But she is not here now. She will be invested in her work until she gets off. Then maybe it is home, or maybe it is happy hour. She may be in here at this time on the weekend, but Friday won’t be it.
Leave a Reply