My Starbucks Squad

A love story

Art by Josue Sanchez

Caroline, Jade, Dorian, Sam, Jorge, Debra, Sheila, Amanda, Joanne, Steve, Brian, Lindsay, Stephanie, and Ana. These are baristas from my local Starbucks; I know their names (fictional names, to respect their privacy), and they know mine.

After dropping off my daughter at school, I go to the same coffee shop, greet my baristas, ask for the same drink, sit at the same table, open my…