On a special occasion my late grandmother, Louise, and I often found ourselves sharing chit chat and quiche at a cozy cafe that was named just that....The Cozy Cafe! The entrance was adorned with flowers, which only led to a more botanical theme on the inside with murals of gardens on every wall, curtains vibrantly decorated with pears and vines and friendly servers bustling around. The wooden chairs brought back memories of an ice cream parlor with their rounded backs and long legs.
I don't recall ever eating outside with my grandmother, but today was a cool 80 degrees so I opted for a patio table with a view of a cigar lounge and a candy shop. Quite the eclectic array of retail indeed! If I had chosen the inside I would have been accompanied by a matriarchal audience dressed in sweaters to keep warm from the tempered climate.
On the patio I tried to get comfortable in an iron chair with no cushion. The warmth of the sun created a cozy feeling even outside the Cozy Cafe as I awaited my Eggs Benedict.
The city was a haven for motorcyclists, especially Harley Davidson's and even the hum of a bike passing by was comforting. On the contrary, music softly played overhead and as nostalgic as lunch with my grandmother was, my first wedding song was not. it quickly passed as if something were blocking any feelings associated with it. Perhaps the angel I was dining with created an ethereal bubble of peace for our visit.
I had an old gift card from one of our last dining excursions and it wasn't reading properly so instead of throwing it away, I kept it for another dose of nostalgia as I'm not sure I will ever go there again now that my cherished grandmother has departed. It has been less than a year and almost each day something brings her to my mind or heart. As I gaze across my desk at her picture I smile. And sigh. I think I'll save the next time we break bread for when we are both angels....then again, perhaps I'll take my daughter there someday.
