An unusual coffee experience

There are many stories that I can remember around a cup of coffee. Let me tell you...

Once my father had a knee problem, so bad that he had to undergo surgery to implant a prosthesis. These are moments in which nerves do not give truce and uneasiness takes hold of you. While he was in the operating room I went to the clinic's coffee shop, nothing better to calm the nerves than a good hot black coffee. Almost all the tables were occupied, there was only one table left where a young woman was sitting.

I approached her table and asked if she could share it with me. She very kindly said yes. I ordered my coffee and sat down. In that place they didn't hand out the familiar little bags of sugar, but on each table there was a glass jar with the white grains in it.

Everything was going very well until I tried to grab the jar to pour the sugar. At that moment I made some clumsy move and knocked the jar over near the young woman's coffee cup. As a result, small drops splashed on the table and almost stained her clothes. I took a napkin and was ready to wipe up what I had spilled. But to my surprise the young woman stopped my hand and with a big smile on her lips she took the napkin and wiped the table...

I told her that I had my father in surgery and I was a little nervous. She replied that she was also a little worried since her mother was undergoing surgery for a coronary problem. We started talking about our parents' health problems and then continued the conversation to more personal matters.

As we talked, she let me know that she was in a bit of a hurry because she had to take a cab to buy some supplies her mother needed. I offered to give her a ride because I had nothing to do at the clinic anyway. We made a long trip to several places until she managed to get what she needed. During that long drive we continued talking and I found out that she was a teacher just like me. We returned to the clinic and said goodbye. At that time there was no cell phone so I had no chance of finding out how to contact her again.

My father did very well with the operation and the next day he was discharged. Her mother had to stay a few more days because her case was more delicate. We said goodbye without knowing if we would ever see each other again...

A few years later I decided to start my master's degree in education. To my surprise one night I met her in one of the courses, we were now fellow students. As we already knew each other, we decided to team up and during the whole time that the master's degree lasted, Manuela, as her name was, and I became good friends...

I will tell you that that friendship did not go any further, because although she was single, I was not. I was already married and had two children...

Manuela and I have achieved a very special friendship that has been maintained over the years. Both my wife and my children have a special affection for her. She was married for a while but in the end decided to leave the relationship. During those years she did not have a good time and we always agreed to meet somewhere to talk about her problems over a cup of coffee.

Sometimes we remember that day at the clinic when, thanks to a clumsy movement of my hand, we got to know each other. Both Manuela and I thank life for putting us together that day. A coincidence that has allowed us to have a great friendship.

Thank you for your time.