by Taylor McDaniel
As I enter through the set of double doors to the Student Center building at Belhaven University, a burst of cool air hits me. I take a seat in a lounge chair that wouldn’t look out of place in the waiting room of a nineties doctor’s office with its light-colored, maple-wood armrests and geometric-patterned upholstery.
Around me, snatches of conversations can be heard. The raspy vocals of an indie-pop song filter through the common area from the Shoe Bird Cafe, a small, wood-paneled coffee shop tucked into one corner of the building. Low hanging pendant lights offer a warm, dim yellow glow that helps to give the Shoe Bird its soft, relaxed atmosphere. Behind the counter, one of the baristas starts to prepare an order. You can hear the clinks from the coffee beans as she scoops them out of the container and slides them off of the silver metal scoop into the grinder. She passes off the drink to the customer and takes a seat to rest a moment before the next order arrives.
Not long after, another customer walks up to the Shoe Bird. Her running shoes squeak against the polished tile floor. She pauses a few feet away from the counter and her eyes turned downward to read the chalkboard menu. The barista offers her a smile as she walks up to place her order. A few minutes later, the barista does the same thing for another customer, this time one of the faculty members. He pulls a cracked and worn leather wallet from his back pocket as he stops in front of the counter and she takes his order. He takes his coffee and heads off to work.
The music cuts out as one song ends. In moments, soft indie-pop is replaced by strong, clear female vocals that dominates over the musical track in the background. The barista stands as another customer walks up to the counter and the cycle repeats.
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Taylor, I liked how you described each person and what they were doing at the time. I enjoyed your remark about the chairs looking like they’re from the 90’s and I completely agree. I also like the way you described the music and I can attest to the strong female music and indie pop mix that goes on at the Shoe Bird.
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Well done, Taylor! The mood of the piece is relaxed and laid-back, much like The Shoe Bird. I love going there one or twice a week. You used good imagery, and the music you described made me laugh. This story makes me want coffee!
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Taylor, reading about the Shoe Bird was an interesting experiment. I only bought a coffee from them three times within three years and have only received a small taste of what goes on over there. Other than that, I have seen it from a distance. I enjoyed finding out a little more about it and the different costumers that buy from the Shoe Bird from your story. Thank you for the great read.
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Taylor, I liked the part where you said the lounge chair wouldn’t look out of place in a ninties doctor’s office! I thought that was clever but also kinda funny. I really enjoyed your story!
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Good job, Taylor! Your description of the student center is perfect. There’s really nothing like walking in there in the mornings to grab a cup of coffee or tea, and you’re hit with so many conversations and people who live completely different lives than you do. But you capture what they have in common very well. They need a “pick-me-up.” I really felt your comment about the doctor’s office! I really enjoyed your story!
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