how to pay off a house

where in the heck

have you

been, my barista, Bubby, says

to me

when i show up

to buy a cup

of joe.

Grande americano,

i tell him.

room for cream

and one sweet and low.

i remember he says.

so where have you been?

well, i tell him.

i've been saving money.

i figured at five bucks

a cup, times thirty days

in a month, times twelve

months in a year,

times ten years.

instead of coming in here

and paying all that money

i can make coffee at home

and pay off my house

early.

not to mention buying

a scone

and a newspaper every day

too.

oh, we don't sell newspapers

anymore, he says.

but we do have a new

mango

four shot, soy, espresso

with whipped cream

and caramel, it's a

milk shake styled

latte for the summer

with coconut shavings

on top.

the kids are crazy about it.

nine bucks.