The taste of chai was on of Suzie's favourite pleasures in life. Everything was stressful, falling apart.
She'd been fired. Her dad had died, mother diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Her sister had been hit by a car and was in hospital with just a broken leg.
All the same, Suzie could forget all of it. She could take a few moments to run from it, with the taste of cinammon, the hint of pepper and cloves.
She was sitting in her local café. It wasn't the best chai. The one in town was smoother, not as sweet. However, this one was closer, cheaper. Her purse would induce fewer tears after the visit.
"How is it?"
Suzie didn't even glance up, wishing the waiter just gave her the space. "Ta, thanks."
"I hope my drinks are better than tar."
She gave an exasperated sigh and looked up at the young man. "It's fine. Light on... Something. No idea. No idea how to make it. It's fine, it's relaxing. You're not."
He gave a soft chuckle, "You don't remember me, do you Sue?"