Body shaking
Mind creeping
Eyes crossing
Fatigue settling
Awareness diminishing
Will to live fleeting.
She asks me, "What can I get you?"
I respond, "Biggest size you've got- extra everything."
She asks me, "Is that all for you miss?"
I say, "Make that two."
I hand over my life savings eagerly,
thinking I need my fix and I need it now.
My legs shuffle forward
Lacking energy to lift themselves off the ground.
My body is humming with excitement,
Eagerness cutting through my brain,
reminding me to keep my composure until the time is right.
And then I hear it
Three syllables ringing out above the chattering.
Two large items places on the table with my name branding it like a priced possession.
My heart rate peaks.
My eyes look like two saucers about to launch off my face.
A sheen of sweat covers my body.
Saliva fills my mouth,
making my need to indulge elevated above all reason.
My legs regain their composure in a burst of energy
I dart through the crowd,
pushing and growling and hissing at everyone that stands in my way.
Until my hands wrap around the cold circumference.
My frenzied hands stir and stir and then...
Bliss.
The taste of caramel and espresso and sweet life fill my mouth and suddenly I feel a jolt.
Energy traveling down my throat, through my veins.
Jump starting my heart and rewiring my brain.
My eyes open for the first time all day
My lips lift into a smile.
I turn around and see the terrified expressions of the entire store.
I look down and for the first time realize-
My shirt is on backwards
My hair is half curled
One sandal and one tennis shoe adorn my feet.
"Oh well," I think.
Everyone knows not to mess with me before I've had my Caramel Macchiato.