Conversation at Carmel Coffee Roasting Co.

June 12th, 2021. My husband is waiting in line to order our coffees. Two old ladies are sitting outside at the café table behind me, each with coffee and a croissant.

Old Lady #1: “And Roland is getting that particular kind of baldness that goes like - “ (gestures.)

Old Lady #2: “Mmhmm. Valley.”

Old Lady #1: “It’s a real shame since he’s only 40.”

Old Lady #2: “Well, you never know these days.”

Old Lady #1: “And he’s greying.

(Munching/Drinking.)

Old Lady #2: “Isn’t he still with that Cynthia girl?”

(Old Lady #1 Nods.)

Old Lady #2: “Maybe that’s still attractive - at her age.”

Old Lady #1: “Or it’s COVID.”

Just then my husband arrives with our own coffees. I’m suddenly grateful we’re the same age – and he has all his hair.

Grace Utomo is a contributing writer for the International Examiner in Seattle, and is completing an MFA in Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Bylines include Kaleidoscope, the Rain Taxi Review of Books, the Manhattan Book Review, and the San Francisco Book Review. Addictions include cats, coffee, and modernist literature (in that order).

Twitter handle: @UtomoGrace