It's a place that illuminates the freest forms of me

A few pumps on my pedals, turns of my handles, and I'm already there

Tall palms twirled in lights line the way to my imagination

Tiny bells ding against the glass door as I glide inside

Freshly roasted beans percolate through anticipation to perfection

Burlap coffee sacks hang as window shades

Handiwork of local artists accents the walls

Sandy scenes of saturated sunsets

Captivating canvas of the Jax Beach pier

Splashes of colors wet my appetite for writing, reading

Simply thinking, just being here

I place my order then claim an umbrellaed table in the coziest corner of the courtyard

My hair flirts with the breeze as I tune to the melody of swishing trees

This place leads me in the dance of my ambivert tendencies

To be social one moment, introverted the next

Saturday brunch with my folks, up for a visit

Flaky butter croissant shelled around steaming bacon, eggs and cheese

Summer treat with my sister and nieces

Icy mint chocolate chip melting down waffle cones onto sticky giggles

Sunday evening chat with girlfriends around warm bread pudding, the best in town

Sharing dessert is so good, we can't help but spoon out our feelings too

Weekday lunch, just me to wiggle free from the structure of my workday

Hummingbirds chirp, egging on the bravest one to hop onto my tabletop and steal a crum

Friday night date with a fella who'd like to brush up on the lost art of conversation

I listen for his character over piping hot lattes and think, "Might he be a keeper?"

And of course, spontaneous hang-outs with friends who love meeting on a whim as much as I do

Where schedules are unnecessary and a wristwatch is a superfluous tool

A place that illuminates the freest forms of me

Lillie's Coffee Bar.

© Candice Reineke 2014