There’s a meme I’ve seen that reads something like, “That moment when you finish a book, look around, and realize that everyone is just carrying on with their lives …”

I finished the audio version of Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert earlier this week. The book is a long awaited sequel to Moloka’i, historical fiction based on a very real Hawaiian leper colony in the late nineteenth / early twentieth century. Beyond leprosy, the sequel explores the subject of Japanese internment camps during World War II. A fascinating, emotional, and educational story.

How often we don’t realize what others are experiencing. Or take the time to find out.

Their struggles.

Their feelings.

Their opinions.

Their goals and aspirations.

On a recent walk I encountered a couple neighborhood girls, in the middle of the street, drawing on the pavement with chalk.

“We’re trying to make the world’s longest line,” they told me.

“Like the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest line ever in the world?!?”

“Yes!” they answered excitedly.

“I think that’s a great goal!”

I continued walking, turning the corner to find multiple lines …

and eventually the end of the line.

I also found evidence of an alien invasion.

No word yet on the status of the world record.

Fast forward to this past weekend, when every resident in my county had the same idea – get Starbucks during halftime of the Ohio State – Michigan State football game. A game actually not cancelled because of COVID. Not wanting to miss a ton of the second half, I placed an order via the app on my way out the door. Fifteen minutes later, I arrived a minute or two past the predicted “ready” time.

As per the usual situation, the drive-through line was long, so I wound around it, found a parking space, donned my mask, and ventured inside. (You can actually select “in store” versus “drive through” with the latest app update. In store is often quicker.) I navigated to the pickup counter through a disturbingly large (during a pandemic) crowd. No sign of my order, so I navigated further to a good spot for waiting.

The baristas were all busting a move, to the point where a plastic pitcher went flying across the counter and landed a couple feet in front of me. I picked it up and returned it to the nearest employee.

Thankfully everyone I saw was wearing their mask properly. No exposed nostrils. Everyone was pleasant as well. Patrons waiting patiently. Employees working away without complaint.

So I waited.

And I waited.

I received a text letting me know of yet another COVID death in the community, a particularly hard-hitting one that had occurred less than an hour prior.

I continued to wait for my coffee, surrounded by people who had no idea how much I really, really, really just wanted to drink my beverage, be sad about COVID, and watch the rest of the Ohio State game.

I looked for an opportunity to get a barista’s attention to inquire about my order. It was too crowded and too busy, though.

After twenty-five minutes, I left without coffee. I fixed my own at home and emailed customer service about a refund.

Sunday I thought, “Well. Maybe I’ll try again. Maybe a different store, though. I’ll go for a longer drive since I’m trying to finish that audiobook anyway.”

Throughout the pandemic, the Starbucks app has been pretty good about keeping hours up to date, as locations have had to modify when they’re open. The location I was considering was open for another three hours. Based on the previous day’s experience, I waited until I was in the area to submit my order, though. Noting the drive through lit up with a few cars in it, I ordered via the app – safely from a parking space – and then pulled into line. At the kiosk, a barista told me they were closed, they close at 6pm on Sundays.

It had just turned 6pm.

I had already been charged for an order on the app predicted to be ready at 6:06pm.

No one would talk to me further about a refund. I handled that via email with corporate customer service again.

And enjoyed more of my leprosy/internment/man’s inhumanity to man audiobook while experiencing delayed caffeination.

And fixed my own coffee at home.

And took it as a sign to continue fixing my own coffee at home for a while.

It definitely was not a sign to stop drinking coffee. 😊