This was before the standard of eyes soul sucked into black mirror screens bound by ear bud occupation. It was a time when people still actually looked at one another, spoke, and interacted in a natural flow.
For several years, I lived just a five minute walk from Mocha Joe’s. I haunted it every weekend. There were almost always a dozen or so friends there, others dropping in, coming and going. I knew the owners. They were also part of my social circle at the time. Sometimes I’d stop in on my way home from work during the week. Holidays made for an extra coffee lounging day.
My partner also spent time there with me and socialized there on his own. I brought friends from other social circles there. I even took my sketchbook with me regularly and drew while I was there. Drawing people in public is an old habit of mine. It’s excellent practice and trains the eye fast.
Mocha Joe’s hasn’t existed now for several years. I haven’t lived in that neighbourhood for several years. Before I wrote this post, I went back to visit where it used to be. It’s now an Asian restaurant and for some reason, all the flair and life is gone from the place. It melts into the rest of the building, looking bland. That magic and warmth left when Mocha Joe’s ceased to exist. The memories are stored away in my mind. All I need to do is push play and I’m there again, holding the most delicious triple shot latte ever.
