sitting in a hotel coffee shop on a rainy day

There are 17 tables surrounding me. 

5 of them are full. 

Two young 'professionals' sit directly across from me, I think they are sipping americanos and monitoring the stock markets. The one closer to me has an earring in his left ear and his stan smiths are a little scuffed. He doesn't have time to clean them I'm sure. The other is wearing a button-down, his shoes are bright white and his umbrella is large enough to cover both of them. He wouldn't move out of the way if you were walking toward him on the street. I bet they were Econ or business majors, messaging 19-year-olds on tinder to try and get them to come out with them tonight. They order bottle service at Ecole and try to promise women the best sex of their lives only to finish after 15 seconds. They will both get laid tonight. 

The table in the corner is a family of 4, in town to celebrate their older daughter's graduation. She's wearing a red gown with a green sash, I didn't think those were the McGill colours. I bet she just got her Master's, maybe in biochemistry? or maybe immunology. The younger girl about 2, sits with her back to the window. Too young to realize the consequences of the rain behind her. Tiny bright yellow rainboots lay empty under the table, there is no need for them in here. The parents are proud of their oldest although they wouldn't tell her that. They have matching hats, a family in celebration. I bet they bought her expensive champagne and paid for her to get her nails done. 

Next, we have another family. A brother and sister, seem like tourists in town for the weekend. Their parents thought it would be "Fun family Bonding!" for them to drive up from Oakville and spend the weekend in Montreal. They reluctantly agreed, both acutely aware of the fact that the drinking age is 18 here. It seems the "art of conversation" has escaped them, all four sit on their phones. Reading articles about gun violence and the Depp v. Heard trial. They were planning to walk down to old port this afternoon to get the 'European' experience, but now in the rain, they are lost in limbo. Stuck in the coffee shop, afraid to stay in, afraid to go out. The kids are returning to the room, it's mid-afternoon nap times and they don't want to have to deal with the parents anymore. Maybe they'd sneak into Cafe Campus tonight and tell their dad it was a coffee shop. 

A young man just walked in and checked his hair in the mirror, then put on a hat before sitting down. Alone, he is clearly waiting. A first date. She's out of his league so he drinks black coffee to come off as tough. His legs are shaking and he pulls out wired headphones, waiting doesn't feel as long when you're watching NFL highlights. He doesn't realize that he has no need to be nervous. This date will go well, they will see each other again and probably share secrets over wrinkled bed sheets. I hope she shows up soon.

It started raining harder. More people are running into the coffee shop to stay dry. The baristas are happy to be inside, despite being overworked and underpaid. Their boss is sweet and generally approves there PTO. 

More people are joining the boys across from me. It seems to pretend to work likes company. 

In the corner right in front of me, I think there is a girl's trip moment. Mom, Aunt, and cousins laughing because they haven't seen each other in months, they're drinking expensive champagne tonight. It's nice to see genuine joy, a happy family, each grateful just to be here. They'll spend too much money on St. Catherine's and not feel guilty about it because they hadn't done this in ages!! Treat yourselves weekend, you deserve it. Maybe they'll go to the spa tomorrow, put cucumbers on their eyes and truly relax for the first time in ages. I'm so happy for them. I miss my mom. 

A business meeting is happening in the far corner. A man and a woman in their mid-40s gossiping about their boss and acting like it's productive. Maybe they're lawyers, but I think it's more likely they have ambiguous titles such as "tech manager analyst" or "Head of HR". They're meeting was supposed to be 20 minutes but they've been here for 45. Neither of them wants to return to the monotony of corporate life, in the empty skyscrapers with empty hallways and rainy windowsills. I think they'll stay a little longer.

The first date man is still alone. I like him. He seems nice and has relaxed some more. I think he's listening to music or maybe watching the rainy coffee shop like I am. 

Never mind. 

Another man joined him and it looks more like a business pitch than a date. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. They moved tables and I cant see them as well now. 

The rain has paused, the group across from me has grown to about 10 and they're bragging about their summer internships. I think it's time for me to go. 

I liked sitting in the coffee shop on this rainy Friday, maybe ill come back next week.