The Ladies Who Lunch

I've been driving around with a package in the back of my car for about a month now. Inside the package is a pair of tap shoes that I'm supposed to deliver to my niece, who lives in DC.  A week ago, we finally made a plan to meet for lunch. Since she works from home on Fridays, I thought it would be easy to zip into town for lunch and the shoe drop-off. I texted her as soon as I finished up with a morning appointment. 

I'm on my way from Tyson’s. I should be there around noon. See you soon!

Her response confused me.

We actually decided to cowork today at a cafe! I'm at Big Bear Cafe

I meant to tell you right when we got here and then my boss called me.

I couldn't understand why, on a day she was scheduled to work from home, she would head out to a cafe and "co-work" with her colleagues who could also be working from home. I mean, wouldn't it have been easier to just co-work in the office?

Nonetheless, I adjusted my GPS and headed for the cafe. 

Driving through DC is always fun for me. I passed by GW and the dorm where my friend lived back in the 1980s. I passed by my dad's old office and zipped around an assortment of circles like I knew what I was doing. When I made the last left on R Street, I recognized the building that housed the cafe. I had been there with Megan before, but didn't recall the name.

It wasn't that warm, but plenty of people were set up outside with big cups of steaming caffeine and open laptops.  Walking through the door, I spotted Megan in the back corner. Her boyfriend and roommate, Keith, was also there with his open laptop.

I laughed as I sat down. "Oh, so this is what you meant by co-working? I couldn't understand why you and your co-workers would all meet at a cafe to telework. Now I get it."

She laughed, "Yeah, that would be silly."

Silly me, I thought.