There are coffee grounds in my iced Mocha.

I say nothing to the barista, practicing the manners I learned as a young boy, that politeness drummed into me over the years, with repetition after repetition: Elbows off the table. Don’t slurp your soup. Always use a spoon. Knife and fork, never with your fingers. Napkin on your lap.

COFFEE GROUNDS IN MY ICED MOCHA BY ERROL RUBENSTEIN 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 67

The Cafe

There are coffee grounds in my iced Mocha.

I say nothing to the barista

practicing the manners I learned as a young boy,

that politeness drummed into me over the years,

with repetition after repetition:

Elbows off the table.

Don’t slurp your soup.

Always use a spoon.

Knife and fork, never with your fingers. 

Napkin on your lap.