A Comforting Coffee

As I open the glass door of the Starbucks in downtown Petaluma, I feel a rush of warm air—a relief from the chilly Petaluma weather. The friendly atmosphere welcomes me with open arms. I stroll up to the long line of caffeine deprived people impatiently waiting to give their coffee order to the friendly barista standing behind the granite top counter. As I wait in line, I admire the array of treats behind the fingerprint coated glass. The delectable treats consist of breakfast sandwiches, butter croissants, chocolate brownies, red velvet cupcakes, rice crispy treats piled with M&M’S and marshmallows, and delicious chocolate chip cookies. Beneath the glass case filled with delectables is a chilled display of iced teas, juices, fruit trays, and yogurt topped with oats and fruit—a healthy alternative to the sugary treats.
As I move closer to the barista, I set my eyes on the menus. One consists of hot teas, coffees, and hot chocolates. Another menu consists of iced drinks and frappuccinos. The brisk air outside convinces me to focus my eyes on the menu of hot drinks. I have a difficult time deciding what to order: I cannot decide between a caramel macchiato or a white chocolate mocha. After a minute of pondering upon some of my favorite drinks, I finally know what to order. I walk up to the barista after a chubby man that seems to have taken a decade to finally decide on a veinte skinny latte. The barista—a fairly young girl with blonde, shoulder length hair and sparkling eyes—flashes a friendly grin, asks how I am doing today, and asks what I would like to order. I smile back and inform her that I would like a grande white chocolate mocha and a chocolate chip cookie. I pay for my order as she hands me my delicious cookie, and I then walk over to the other counter to sit at a nearby table to wait for my drink. I sit around for a few minutes, listening to the gleeful, relaxing music playing in the café. Finally, I hear another barista call out my name, and I jump out of my seat to retrieve my mocha. I head over to the table that is spread with jars of cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, and chocolate flavoring. A huge aluminum drink container filled with half and half resided next to the jars on the table. I spot a napkin dispenser and grab one out.
I scan the café, searching for somewhere to sit and eventually set my eyes on a large, brown, leather chair in the corner and walk over. The chair envelops my body in and instantly relaxes me. I set my coffee and cookie on the round, black side table next to me and pull out my brother’s laptop. The screen lights up as I press the power button. I open word and begin to type. After writing my name, I ponder my thoughts to decide what to type. My eyes wander around the café, taking in my surroundings.
The cream and grey walls of the café are bordered at the bottom with polished wood. Colorful, artsy paintings hang from the walls and tile rests behind the menus with spotlights highlighting them. The delectable cases of food taunt those who walk by, including the small child breathing heavily on the glass, eyeing a sugary cupcake. The baristas are working at a fast pace behind the mocha counter to quickly meet the customers demanding orders. There is a black case of Starbuck’s brand coffee bags and different flavored coffee syrups for the Starbucks addicts of Petaluma. I continued to look around the coffee shop until a women with brown bangs and cowboy boots asked if anyone is sitting at the chair next to me. I told her no and checked the time. I had been looking around the café for about fifteen minutes. I take a sip of my mocha and realize my cup is empty. I walk up to the glossy black trash can and toss my white and green Starbucks cup and brown paper bag that held my cookie into it. By this time, there are no customers in line, which shocks me, so I walk back up to the barista behind the counter and order water. She hands me ice cold water in a clear Starbucks cup, and I sit back down on my comfy leather chair. I begin typing intensely, not stopping for anything until I finish. The café is pretty quiet except for the low jazz music playing and the soft taping of my finger on the keys of the laptop. It was easy to focus on my assignment while sitting in such a nice, calming atmosphere.
At home, it is always difficult for me to focus on an assignment and finish quickly because of the distractions. At Starbucks, it is easy for me to focus on everything I do with no distractions in the warm environment. It is simple. I sit, I focus, I type. The friendly atmosphere of the café inspires me. I do not feel pressured here. I feel calm, relaxed, and focused—Starbucks helps me accomplish what I could not before.

-Charlotte