It was a searing heat that rendered this afternoon. I looked up into the skies and found no coolness in their summery azure. I then walked up the mangled sidewalk towards navy blue tents. All around us locomotives were coming and going fast enough, buzzing away as a sorrowful ballad played on the radio. It could easily have passed for a fanciful musette in these pyretic plains. Meanwhile, a typewriter tapped into what little quiet was left as we sat patiently waiting for our papers.
The municipal hall had us seated in two rows, facing empty blue seats they’d systematically marked. Ample reflective spaces where we could all ponder and be proud of procuring the documents we needed. I was a bit late in the game fixing up my application for my voters registration, but I was joining nonetheless after a bit of clarity. After an initial delay at city hall and a few extra steps in this hall, I felt these efforts merited reward or even perhaps a hearty meal?
I stroll into the nearest cafe and scour the menu for something full, fanciful, and exotic to remind me of amazing worldly things like seaside palazzos and copper-toned beaches under citrus skies. I’d made myself a greek salad before so I knew the basics of my craving. But for all the items on that list, I simply would have to find the ambience I was looking for in an Italian Bagel Sandwich.
Anyway, it might have been too much to ask a cafe for. It was this or the Chicken Panini. I hesitantly order the sandwich, a decaf hot coffee and a glazed doughnut as well and relished my wait in what was at least cooler air.
The cafe itself was reminiscent of an industrial-age diner with its brick walls and metal motifs. The room was empty but for one other customer typing busily away in her box. I’d found a nice high-table lit with round ceiling lamps and fancied myself as busy as the other girl, much too occupied with brilliant ideas to have my feathers ruffled by a little heat and inconvenience. I got my notebook out and jotted away my newfound optimism.
When my order arrived, I was stunned with delight! In retrospect, I might have just been that hungry but it was a whopper of a bagel sandwich to marvel at! With renewed energy, I hastily bit into the bread, the thin slices of salami, and three-layered ham but sank slowly and wholeheartedly into the white cheese and coolness of the onions and freshness of the tomatoes and lettuce… savoring it’s Mediterranean flavors and washing them down with my coffee.
Respite. It was everything and more as it made up for the day’s unappetizing start. Too bad I was already done with the day’s tasks.
The Typewritten Tales 
Perfectly described piece Kat! I craved for eating paninis agad in seaside palazzos and copper-toned beaches under citrus skies.
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Thanks, Bethy! Im excited to read your pieces soon. 😊
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