Coffee Hug

Watercolor by Niya Christine. "Coffee Hug." Copyright 2013

#11/365

She was the kind of girl when asked to do the dishes by her mother, only washed the coffee pot and grinder. Her first business was born at 8 years old when she planted a secret coffee tree in the family greenhouse. She harvested the beans and used wrapping papers she’d saved from Christmas that year to package them and deliver them to her neighbors — first as gifts and then for 25 cents a piece. Soon, the neighbors were leaving her $1.00 and then $2.00 in tiny envelopes. Even the ‘mean’ neighbors were charmed by her passion for the bean.

She left home at 18, moved to Hawaii, became a hippie and opened a Kona Coffee and Papaya stand. She had a knack for episodic advertising. In the course of a week the signs in front of the stand might have looked something like this:

“I love coffee, coffee gets me.”

“When my love for life is less, coffee restores me.”

“When I can’t sleep, I drink coffee and write sonnets.”

“When my boyfriend is angry at me, coffee doesn’t judge me.”

“After I’ve been mugged, coffee gives me a hug.”

“When I leave for Mexico, Brazil or Africa in search of new coffee flavors coffee is my expert consultant.”

“Do yourself a favor, stop and get a coffee hug.”

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4 comments

  • Jean Vertefeuille-Cutler January 11, 2013  

    Love this, as all of them, Niya, but this morning is wonderful!

  • niya christine January 11, 2013  

    Yes, I did a 180 on you all today in terms of style and voice so far. This girl and her big cup of coffee needed a little air time. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I expect many more 180’s in the future. Everyday is a surprise to me.

  • WM Rine January 12, 2013  

    I vote with Jean. This one was especially good. I want to see it on a wall somewhere, or in a book. Thanks for the story to go with it.

    • niya christine January 12, 2013  

      Very interesting WM. This painting and story came the easiest out of all of them in this month’s theme. This is great feedback.