Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!

Every morning about 7:20 I walk into the Gate gas station on 17 on my way to work. I pull up on the right side of the building and park the car next to the curb. I would then go in get the 16 oz cup and fill it with French Vanilla Cappuccino from the Best Bean machine. Next, I turn around and place the very full cup on a napkin (to make sure I wouldn’t get any stickiness in the cup holder of my very pretty 2008 Honda Accord), pour some half and half into the cappuccino, place a lid on top and swirl it gently to mix it, as I walked to the counter to pay. After about a month of paying $1.39 every day for the 16 oz coffee the clerk behind the counter suggested that I bring a coffee mug from home because I could fill it up, not matter the size, for 94 cents. I believe my exact response was, “Really? Sweet thanks!” From that point forward I began bringing one of the four coffee mugs we have. The next day I brought in Devin’s Office mug (because I’m not even sure he knows he owns it). As the clerk, who I now know as Martin, is ringing up the coffee we discuss the Angela, Andy, Dwight love triangle and who we thought was going to win the girl. Suddenly it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then New Years. My first day back to work in 2009 I forgot to bring my coffee mug (more like, I hadn’t done the dishes in a week). So I walked over to the coffee and did my daily ritual of filling a 16 oz cup. At the counter Martin said, “you’ve got to wake up and read the signs before you fill your cup, the medium coffee is only 99 cents this month.” My response consisted of an “ah crap” and “really, ALL month?!?!” So each day I have been to work since that day I have gotten the 20 oz coffee for only $1.06 after tax. Martin and I have had many conversations. Some about the Jaguars when I walk in on a Monday morning with no voice, two about the Gators and the Seminoles (UF vs. FSU, and the BCS Championship) and several about The Office. Mostly though it’s just “have a nice day” and “thanks, you too.” Wednesday morning I got my 20 oz cup, gave Martin my $1.06 and coffee card. Instead of getting just one stamp for my coffee he gave me all five on the card! I excitedly thanked him and went on my way. As I drove out of the parking lot I thought to myself, “This is sad. I’m a regular at the gas station and the clerk knows me!”