it’s the local meeting spot

coffee, beer and gambling place all at once

i’ve been here before

once or twice

coffee is good

and cheap

i get a croissant

leo an older italian man

fills the place

with conversation

laughter

and life

something about the mafia

lost in the italian

i don’t ask

he introduces me to laura

she got some good money

from her last divorce

and she could use company

he tells me

she gets quiet

they offer me

some italian cheese

it’s salty

and bitter

i like it

he’s drinking a lager

while i have a coffee

we both probably

can’t tell the time

come back later

he says

for a nice bottle of wine