Crazy Is Another Word For 'Without Coffee'

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Getting up in the morning is already hard enough, but getting up without coffee? Ultimate punch.

Instant coffee is out of stock and I really need a dose of my trusty caffeine. I need it to think. The kind of job I do, it requires me to think!

But, ginger, my grinder has gone in a bind. She's just not responding and I am furious right now, but it is all I can do to curtail my anger.

Stores won't be open till 8:30am and I need to be at work fifteen minutes before that. How do I work this stuff? Do I just get coffee from the office? But it tastes horrible. So what now?

I glance at the clock and see I have about forty-five minutes to come up with a plausible solution before I go godzilla on someone. It doesn't help that I am still brimming with the frustration of mixed orders from last night. As a logistic company, that kind of mistake can be costly.

I can't not have coffee. So what now?

"Think Diana. Think!" I slap my hand against my forehead. I could feel my nerves already rattling. I don't know how long I stayed in the kitchen just staring at my empty cup and faulty grinder but it was long enough for it to click.

There was a grocery store fifteen minutes away from my place (ten or less should I drive like a mad woman) and they come out really early. I could get instant coffee and fix up my grinder later.

Being the person that I am - impatient- I walked out the door without bothering with my looks. I was still in my pajamas and a robe plus fluffy house slippers and nest hair.

Driving to the store was easy but I am cussing like a sailor when the sign says closed.

Closed?! Just why is the universe against me?

I refused to take no for an answer. I get out my car, and eyes turn when I place my face against the glass of the shop, trying to see inside.

I see a boy, probably in his twenties walking with his head down, focused on something in his hand. I pounded erratically on the door, and he is startled to the point he drops his phone. So that is what he was holding.

He is looking straight at me, eyes wide as saucers. I am pretty sure I look like a loch ness monster but I currently don't give two @%$&. He is scrambling back to his feet when I start pounding again, glaring daggers at me when he picks his phone.

He walks towards me and mouths while pointing at the sign,
"We're closed!."

I mouth back that I need coffee. He shakes his head and mouths for me to go away, then turns his back on me but not for long because I'm pounding harder and louder and fast enough to attract attention.

"Are you crazy?" he mouths

"Yes," I reply, "and I am going to drive you out of your mind if I don't get coffee. I can be pretty persistent."

I didn't know if he understood all I just yelled, but those out here sure did because they are asking me to quiet down.

Not now satan!

I and the boy have a staring contest for what feels like a minute before he raises a finger and then leaves. He returns soon with a plastic bag and gestures for me to come to a window.

He hands me the bag with a scowl and says,
"You are crazy."

I hand him the money which he takes and say,
"I know."

I sprint back to my car and the dashboard says I have about thirty minutes to get home, drink coffee, shower and get to work. I can work with that.

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