8-28-01 Main Street's Coffee Shop

8-28-01 Main Street’s Coffee Shop in Albertville, Alabama 2:10pm

The older man had tight, regimented, grey hair clenching tightly to his head. He limped towards the counter and remarked to the owner that it was Elton John playing over the speakers. “Someone here must like him because he was playing the last time I was here.” The owner smiled and let out a slight laugh and said it was just a radio station. Then he started into a story about an Elton John concert. He had worked for a radio station in Huntsville promoting concerts. When Elton came into town he was lucky enough to get some tickets for himself. He and his wife showed up early to the venue because they weren’t sure where it was. Well, some of Elton’s crew gave out front row seats to all the early birds. The older man couldn’t top that story right away so he walked off with his coffee, limping. A few moments later he said Elton John and Billy Joel once toured together, but tickets were $75. He wasn’t going to pay that, he’d just listen to the albums. The he limped off again to the front of the store. He is the kind of person with a permanent scowl.

I walked up to the counter and ordered a banana pie smoothie. I asked the owner why he moved to Albertville from Huntsville. He said his father got sick. He and his wife and the kids moved back to take care of him and take in the small town life. His father died a year ago in August. I offered my condolences and stammered through the awkwardness such moments bring about in me. The owner was nice and quick to add that he was at peace with his father’s passing. In a quirk of fate his father hadn’t died from his illness. He was hit by a drunk driver. By then the owner and his wife had made Albertville their home and they all loved it here.

I wonder about that guy with the limp. He doesn’t even seem to be at home in his own body. The owner though, he has it. He’s found home.