Nice Mugs - Part III

Raising slightly from my seat, I extended my hand across the table " My name is Dirk".  She reached out and clasped my hand firmly, surprising me with her strong grip.  "Micayla Marconi".  Her bright hazel eyes searched my face intently as if she was anticipating a reaction.  Suddenly she realized that she was still holding my hand and dropping her eyes, withdrew her hand quickly with a nervous laugh.  "So, are you from around here?" I asked taking a sip from my latte, cradling the large white porcelain mug with two hands.  A deep frown furrowed her eyebrows.  "Are you kidding me?  Really?  Is that the best you can come up with?  You set some pretty high expectations with the whole mug reflects personality bit.”  I looked around the shop nervously and started to think about why I was even sitting across the table from this young woman that I had never met before.  I had been coming to this coffee shop for a few years now, and while I knew most of the regulars, she was not one of them.  “You asked me why I was here..” I shifted my eyes back to her face noticing she wore just a hint of makeup.  “You now, I am not sure why I come here day after day. A few years ago I was struggling with some emotional issues and I started going to the coffee shop because I was a bit lonely I suppose.”  “Yeah, I know that feeling.” Micayla broke of a piece of her biscotti popping it in her mouth.  “Hey Mikey!” A loud voice pierced our conversation.  Micayla looked behind me and I turned to see a young man standing at the counter pouring sugar into his coffee.  “It’s Micayla, not Mikey” she replied angrily to the lanky blond-haired man.  He was wearing large work boots and a bulky Carhartt winter jacket.  “Whatever Mikey” he said smiling.   He winked at me saying  “Good luck” with a sarcastic tone.  Then throwing a dismissive wave in our direction he sauntered out the front door chuckling.