Coffee House Confession

"Is this seat taken?" asked the young man.

"Depends, what do you do for a living?" replied the older woman.

"Uhh--I'm a film student."

"Good answer. You may sit."

"Thanks, this coffee house is always packed. I take it you like films?"

"Yeah, something like that. I also like students."

"I didn't get your name."

"I didn't give it."

"Well, my name is Jason. Friends call me Jay."

"I don't shake hands."

"Sorry. I totally get it, my mom's a germaphobe, too."

"You're kind of cute for a film student."

"You know, you're not the first attractive woman to tell me that. It must be the multi-vitamins I'm taking."

"It must be."

"I tried modeling when I was a kid, but they hated that I asked too many questions."

"Like what?"

"Can I go potty? Where's my mommy? Why doesn't my daddy love me? Stuff like that."

"Are you telling me you have daddy issues?"

"Are you intrigued because we have something in common?"

"I'm offended that you assume I have these issues."

"I mean, don't we all on some level?"

"Maybe."

"I actually never met my dad. My mom told me he's an indie film director who would rather raise money for his next film than raise a child."

"How does that make you feel?"

"You sound like a therapist. I hope you're not a therapist. I already have one of those."

"No, I'm not a therapist. I'm just a woman in a coffee house."

"An attractive woman in a coffee house. Will your husband be arriving soon?"

"No."

"Oh, will your wife be arriving soon?"

"No. And you didn't answer my question."

"Um, I don't feel anything. I mean, you can't really feel anything for someone you never knew."

"Would you ever go look for him?"

"For someone who won't even tell me their name, you ask a lot of personal questions."

"Answer my last question and then I'll tell you my name."

"Would I ever go look for him? Hmm, most likely not. If he left, he probably doesn't want to be found."

"What if I told you that he's looking for you?"

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"Here's my card. Meet me at this address at 1 p.m. tomorrow. I have to go."

"Wait! You didn't tell me your name!"

"Aminah."

"Jason, you're late."

"My class ran late. My bad."

"Actually, I'm surprised you came at all. I had the impression yesterday that you didn't want to find your father."

"That's right, but if he's looking for me--"

"I sense that you have more curiosity rather than animosity toward your father."

"I guess you can say that."

"Follow me."

"This house is amazing! It's like I'm in an episode of Black Mirror. Wait, he's not in there is he? Now that I'm here, I don't know if I want to do this."

"He is and he's ready to meet you. If you don't want to do this you're free to leave, but something tells me that you need this."

"How do you fit into all of this, Aminah? Are you his wife? Lover? Real estate agent? I'm not sure I can trust you."

"Would you be here if you didn't trust me?"

"Honestly, you're hot. Like, super-model-hot and for some odd reason I opened up to you at the coffee house about stuff I never thought I'd tell anyone. Now I'm here and I feel like my whole life is about to flip upside down."

"I have that effect on people, but trust me when I say that your life is going to change for the better. Please, follow me."

"Aminah, I have to use the bathroom."

"Need to vomit?"

"Ew, no. Why do you think that?"

"That usually happens when someone is really nervous."

"I was a kid model, remember? My nerves are good. I just need to go number one really bad."

"The bathroom is down the hall to the left. I'll wait for you here."

Damn, what did I get myself into? It won't hurt to snoop around a bit. Gotta make sure I didn't walk into some psychopath's house. I bet she doesn't even know my dad. She said she likes students, maybe she brought me here to seduce me.

"Aminah found him. Yeah, she brought him here. I don't know how he's going to react. He thinks I abandoned him to direct movies. Okay that's true, but his mother threatened me with a rape lawsuit... No, I did not rape her. It was consensual... I don't know, she was scared I was going to leave her for a younger actress. Okay that's also true, but I still have the right to know my son!"

"Dad?"

"I'll call you back."

"Who were you talking to?"

"My father, uh, your--your grandfather."

"I don't really know what to do now."

"Can I hug you?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Wow, you're a big guy now, huh?"

"Thanks?"

"Have a seat. Do you want anything to drink? Water? Coffee? Wine? Whisky? I could use a whisky right about now."

"No, I'm good. How do you know Aminah?"

"She's an old friend. She specializes in finding people. She told me you're a film student?"

"Yup."

"Am I the reason?"

"Maybe."

"I'm not sure what your mother told you--"

"Her version of the truth."

"Right."

"I didn't come here for a handout or anything. I was just curious to see how you looked."

"And?"

"No wonder mom looks at me in a weird way when she's had too much wine."

"Oh, your mother is quite the woman. I was infatuated with her, but we wanted different things."

"I'm sorry she had me."

"No! Don't ever say that! Your mom wanted--we wanted you so bad."

"Why didn't you stay then?"

"At the time, directing movies seemed easier for me than fatherhood."

"Was it worth it?"

"This is going to sound really messed up to you, but yes it was worth it."

"No, I get it. Follow your dreams or raise a family, but you can't have both."

"Exactly, you understand."

"I also understand all the nights mom cried because she was alone without hearing a word from you and all the times she was drunk calling me by your name and cussing me out."

"I'm sor--"

"Don't bother apologizing. I told Aminah yesterday that I don't feel anything when it comes to you because I never knew you. After meeting you today, I'm more than okay with that."

"Son, if you ever need anything--"

"I've got myself and my mom. I'll let myself out."

"Jason! Wait, Jason!"

"Thanks Aminah, for all of this. You're right, my life is changing for the better."

"Will you see your father again?"

"No, but I hope to see you again at the coffee house for more confessions."