Early the next day, Sally and Nora were enjoying coffee and croissants at Buns, Beans, and Leaves, a local coffee shop.

“Nora, thank you so much for inviting me to Kentwood. Your students and colleagues make me feel like a rock star! I…I…I don’t even have words… !”

Nora took another sip of her coffee and said, “Sally, you ARE a rock start. I have received dozens of texts and emails from students, faculty, and the community saying how much they enjoyed your presentation last night. They are so excited you’re here. They feel like they are in the presence of a literary legend!”

Seeing the obvious pleasure on Sally’s face, she continued, “In fact, Marian Schaeffer, the President of the local Charlotte Godfrey Literary Society emailed me wondering if you could give a presentation downtown this week or if you’d ever consider conducting a weekend retreat for local writers.”

Surprised, Sally replied, “Wow! Definitely not this week, but I’ll be happy to talk to her about another time.”

Nora looked up and saw Marian approaching the coffee bar. “That’s good, because there she is”

“Nora! Did you arrange that?” asked Sally, more than a little annoyed.

“Honest to God, no! But this is a small town and this is really the only place that serves anything that resembles decent coffee. But, please… don’t spill it on me!”

Brushing her gray curls from her eyes, Marian squinted to read the blackboard menu over the coffee bar. After slowly reading through all the options, she shook her head and said, “Plain coffee, do you have just plain coffee?”

The barista, Ayala, replied, “I can make you an Americano”

Marian was hoping for a simple yes, but said, “Ok… I guess.”

“What kind of beans? We have Ethopian, Ecuadorian, Costa Rican?”

“Whatever is best”

Tilting her head in thought, Ayala said, “I like the Ethiopian. It is a bit winey with chocolate overtones.”

Marian’s eyes widened and she said “Oh forget it. How about some tea?”

“Sure. Herbal? Green? Black? Oolong?”

“Just. Plain. tea. Do you have that?

Sighing, Ayala said, “Fine, English Breakfast then,” disdainfully adding,“The plainest tea we have.”

Awaiting her tea, Marian turned and saw Sally and Nora. “Oh wonderful!” she chirped as she approached their table. Leaning on her cane, she said, “What a coincidence! Sally Mansfield and Nora Walsh! Sally, I just loved your readings last night! Are you enjoying yourself here in Kentwood?”

Sally hesitated.

Nora jumped in, “Sally, this is Marian Schaeffer. She is the president of the Charlotte Godfrey Literary Society. Are you familiar with Charlotte Godfrey?”

Sally shook her head no.

Marian eagerly explained. “She was a local woman who published several novels and essays in the late 18^th century, under the name Charles Godfrey. You know it wasn’t easy for women writers in those days. She is not well known outside this region. “ Marian took a deep breath. “To be honest, she is not that well known inside this region either. That is why our society exists- to promote her story and her work.”

“Ah, well, nice to meet you Ms Schaeffer. And thank you for coming to my presentation last night.”

“Marian. And the pleasure was all mine.” She continued “I wonder if you might be willing to bring some celebrity to our local …”

She was interrupted as Ayala arrived with a tray carrying a small ceramic teapot, cream, sugar, and a porcelain cup. “Here you go. Plain tea.”

Marian sat down with Nora and Sally, accepted the tray and poured the tea into the cup. “I swear there are just too many choices. Everywhere you go. It’s like you said last night Sally, we all seem to think we are at the center of a universe that exists solely to serve our us and cater to our every whim. Why can’t we just order tea or coffee and know what we are getting? Just plain coffee. Just plain tea. I mean… Sally, what are you drinking?”

Sally took a sip of her double shot, oatmilk, sugar-free cinnamon latte with Ethiopian Yergachef espresso and replied, “uh…coffee with milk.”

Marian was overjoyed, “I knew it! You understand. We need Plain coffee. Plain tea. Too many choices imprison us. Paralyze us.” Pausing briefly, she asked, “So, is that what they mean by Americano?”

Looking for an escape route, Sally looked at her watch and said, “Nora, I need some extra time before I visit your class this morning. Just need to think through a couple of my writing prompts for today’s workshop. Can we head to campus?”

Before Nora could respond, Marian exclaimed, “Oh! Wonderful. What time is the workshop? I would love to sit in. Sally, I am sure you’ll be brilliant. I hope our Kentwood students don’t embarrass themselves too much. Oooh! I am so excited! What a great idea!”

Nora looked at first at Sally and then at Marian and replied carefully, “Marian, that would be delightful, but these are students in the introductory creative writing class. They are just beginning to feel comfortable sharing their work with each other. They have been preparing for Sally’s visit, but I think having a surprise guest in the room would be pretty intimidating. I hope you understand, but, no, I don’t think that’s a great idea.”

Marian was clearly disappointed, but didn’t argue.

Sally got up to leave, turned to Marian and said “It was so nice to meet you.”

Outside, Sally said, “Thanks for rescuing me in there. Tell me again, who is “Plain Tea?””

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