The Corner Cafe

By Dennis McIntyre

The Corner Café represents years of joy, hope, encouragement, laughter, friendships, and fellowship. Peter's daily routine visits lead to a tremendous revelation on his last day. What began, as a new location for morning coffee nearly twenty years earlier, became a habit that was orchestrated by spiritual guidance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bennett Media and Marketing
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781957114743

Dennis McIntyre

Dennis A. McIntyre is a native of Rochester, NY, and served as an electrical engineer and a technical writer for over 40 years before retiring. Since retirement, Dennis has focused his efforts on his personal writing, publishing his first book, an autobiographical work entitled "Legacy of Love", in 2008. He published "Shackled Yet Free" in 2011 and "Coffee Shop Ministries" in 2021. Dennis currently resides in Dacula, GA. He enjoys using his gifts of encouraging and writing for the glory of God's kingdom. His main goal for writing involves drawing people into closer relationships with the Lord and one another.

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The

Corner Café

Dennis A. McIntyre

The Corner Café

Copyright © 2023 Dennis A. McIntyre

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-957114-73-6 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-957114-74-3 (eBook)

Printed in the United States of America

Introduction

Most of us are creatures of habit. Often, the roads we drive are the same, unless an accident or repair vehicle blocks them. At those times we may feel somewhat lost as we search for an alternate path. It is in those moments that we may find new direction. The Corner Café came as one of those changes in my life. Even then it became a new habit for about twenty years. People come and go in that small café. I was on a first name basis with many of them. It was a place where friendships were made, people laughed, and rejoiced together.

It wasn’t until my last cup of coffee in that place that my life was wonderfully changed. My journey was about to take me out of state, but with a new sense of purpose and direction. Perhaps, those who read this story can relate. We are all here for a purpose. It is my earnest prayer that my readers will find theirs and enjoy the ride.

Table of Contents

The Corner Café 1

The Last Drive 7

The First Week 11

A New Week 23

Molly’s Visit 29

Molly’s Work 35

The Last Day 41

Jack’s Story 49

Reggie’s Story 57

Molly’s Conclusion 63

The Florida Trip 67

Reflections 79

Our response: 85

The Last Drive

The sunrise this morning is especially beautiful. The autumn colors seem to magnify its brilliance. I am reminded that all is well, although I am struggling with the events of this day. Driving to the corner café for the last time has filled my mind with many memories. I will miss those patrons who have come and gone over the past twenty years. The morning cup of coffee might not taste as good in a new location. Tomorrow, I will drive to Florida to spend time with my dad who suffered a stroke at the age of eighty-seven. Early retirement was offered in my employment, which opened up new doors of opportunity for me. I have been blessed with thirty-two years as an electrician, technician, and engineer. Our children have families of their own and have left the nest. The owner of the café learned that I was heading to Florida and asked what day would be my last day at the café. Today is that day.

Thoughts about how the first visit came about were filling my mind as I left the house. About twenty-five years ago, I remember leaving home at least an hour before I needed to. The house was fully electric.I always showered in the morning, as my oily scalp would not leave a good impression if I didn’t. The hot water heater could handle warm showers for the first two or three in succession, but our second child would find it rather cold. Leaving an hour early allowed for the heater to recover so everyone in the family would enjoy a comfortable shower. That was a habit that continued, although the gas company came through with their service later. Gas hot water heaters are much quicker in recovery.

For much of the first five years, I would go to the workplace and enjoy coffee with my coworkers in the company cafeteria. Although, we would not start work until eight, the hour between seven and eight served as a gathering of minds. Long tables would handle between ten and twenty workers of all trades. Most of us would travel to different buildings within the company once the workday started, so this time was very special. Together, we would share things about our families, vacations, and work experiences. It was a melting pot of ideas, suggestions, and solutions, as the group interacted. As one of the newest in the engineering arena, I looked forward to those discussions.

Then came the unthinkable. Management misinterpreted the early morning gathering and closed the cafeteria, at least for the early hours. In an instant the information pool was disbanded. Perhaps, the company had other reasons for their action, but I remember wondering whether it was seen as time wasted by workers. It was well before our starting hour, but perhaps, management did not know that fact. Nevertheless, a crucial hour of interaction between coworkers was eliminated. I would not see these men and women very often afterwards. I thought about them regularly, but if they needed any electrical engineering support, I would not be available to offer it. The same could be said for me, if I needed their help in