Another Slow Shift

Today was one of those shifts where the café feels empty even when customers are around. I made an extra-strong latte for myself and watched as it sat, cooling in front of me, just like my spirits. I couldn't help but think about how different things were this time last year, when we had new faces every day, everyone chatty and cheerful. Now, it's mostly the same handful of regulars who come in almost robotically for their morning caffeine fix. Sometimes, I wonder if they even notice me behind the counter anymore. It’s a slow fall into routine that feels more like stagnation.