A Familiar Face Part 1


Once we found a table at our favorite coffee shop, Trent offered to get our orders while Uncle Remington warmed up. The coffee shop was always cozy, toasty, and fragrant with all the coffee drinks.


‘I know what I want.’
Trent had a usual at every establishment that he rarely deviated from.
‘What sounds good to you?’
‘I’m not really hungry, especially after seeing such a gruesome case of food poisoning.’ my Uncle grimaced. ‘I think I’ll just have a no frills black coffee.’
Trent once again fixed him with a stern look. One that also reflected concern.
Did he suspect like I did, that my Uncle was only using the film as an excuse?
‘You have to eat something.’ Trent nagged at my Uncle. ‘The reason you get sick so often is because of all the damn dieting you do. If that cold doesn’t clear up by tomorrow night, you’re going to make an appointment to see one of your doctors.’


My Uncle held up a hand to ward off any further word from Trent.
‘Stop fussing over me. I’m fine. Just exhausted and in dire need of a strong hot coffee.’
‘Trent’s right.’ I told my Uncle. ‘You need to keep your strength up if you want to fight a cold.’
Uncle Remington never let me skip meals when I had a cold or flu.
I pointed out the sign that announced the Soup of the Day.
‘They have that Broccoli Cheese soup you like.’
‘Very well.’ my Uncle sighed resignedly. ‘That’s what I’ll have.’


‘Me too, please.’ I told Trent. ‘Only I want a Mocha Latte to go with mine. Get some extra crackers too.’
‘Will do.’ Trent said with a smile for me and another troubled look at my Uncle.
I could see that my Uncle was starting to get cranky with us. It looked like he was going to throw one of his famous temper tantrums.
‘Will you two quit looking at me like I’m going to keel over any second! I have a damned cold! Not a flu, not food poisoning that will turn me into a killer zombie from hell, but a simple everyday cold. There’s nothing to do for it, but let it run it’s course!’


My Uncle’s outbursts caused several people to look our way.
A pretty blonde, who I noticed sipping a coffee, as she read through a thick pile of papers, (like a manuscript or college term paper) also looked up.
Instead of going back to what she was doing, like everyone else did, she got up from her seat.
Trent’s face paled and he looked like he wanted to run in the other direction, but the woman all ready had him in her clutches and planted a big kiss on his cheek.