T42 - Friday

[hernando_fuentes]

I totally know what day of the week it is, hush

The shop today was decorated with pictures and posters from the heyday of women's liberation. Suffragettes stood proudly in their sashes, women in trousers lounged on the steps of universities. The first female medical doctor and surgeon had a portrait front and center. A Rosie the Riveter poster hung on one side of the wall. Harriet Tubman's portrait bookended the doctor's. A print of Michelle Obama's official White House portrait was near the counter.

The color theme for the day seemed to be green, white and purple. Hernando smiled a little and patted the counter. "Happy Women's Day to you, too."

The pastries today ranged from delicate little sweets to Rosalie's giant decadent cupcakes. Savories in the form of hearty sandwiches and dainty little puff pastry cups filled with all manner of delights were in a cooled case.

He fed the quokka and took up station behind the counter.

[T42 is Open!]

Comments

[hernando_fuentes]

"Can they not? Well. All the more reason to make them welcome where they can vicariously enjoy tea by observing others," Hernando said. He wasn't teasing. Just simply that much of a marshmallow.

[always_someone]

"I guess if... ghost tea was a thing," Norman replied. "Now I kind of want to figure out if there's some way to make ghost tea, though. I'm sure a lot of ghosts would appreciate that."

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando raised his eyebrows, "If you do, please let me know. I would put it on the menu."

He was serious, it should be noted.

[always_someone]

"It would be pretty popular, I think," Norman said, thoughtfully. "One of my teachers is a ghost. His biggest complaint about it is the total lack of physical sensation. Taste, smell, touch..."

[hernando_fuentes]

"Tea would accomplish all three," Hernando noted. "The sensation of drinking, a pleasant aroma and a delicious taste."

[always_someone]

Norman nodded his agreement.

"So it might be something worth... trying to figure out, at least," he mused, a little distracted as the small quokka got its fill and shuffled aside to let the next in line step up for a scratching. "I mean, there has to be some way to do it. Grandma managed to take her knitting with her."

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando wasn't unaware of what Norman was saying about his grandmother but did not think it worth questioning or commenting on since the boy seemed to welcome her spirit.

"Kindness is usually worth the effort, yes," he agreed.

Dave, it should be noted, was not giving up the hand he had claimed for scritches

[always_someone]

Dave was a pushy old man, but at least he knew what he wanted in life. Norman kept right on scritching.

"I have yet to regret it," he replied. "Even if sometimes, the people you're being kind to are ones who don't necessarily deserve it. At least at the end of the day, you were kind."

[hernando_fuentes]

"I feel this way also," Hernando agreed, "It is the few instances where I have not been kind that I have regretted but the kindness, never. Even when not reciprocated, even when spurned. As you say, at the end of the day at least I was kind."

[always_someone]

"If only more people could see things that same way," Norman mused. "Leading by example only goes so far."