Five feet two of miniature rock and roll...

No matter how much we love silence, sometimes we just need a little noise in our lives. A little crash, bang, wallop. A little disturbance of the quiet molecules.

It’s the old action and reaction thing. Inside every zip the lips there’s a shout it from the rooftops fighting to get out.

Sometimes it needs a little Rev. King. A little FREE AT LAST!!

Little Italy knows this.

That’s why every now and then she opens the doors of the coffee shop wide and throws out an invite to those with an inability to keep their voice box in check for more than five minutes at a stretch.

That’s why she wears her special occasion slinky red dress and takes the warpaint out for a walk on the wild side.

Blood lipstick. Mile-long mysterious lashes. Six inch stilettoes. Backcombed hair. Hello boys smile.

Today’s the day and I wouldn’t miss it for all the damned Arabica in Brazil. Today, sound is like prayer. And the line at the bar is religiously celebrating life in all its loudness.

I sit in the corner, ears open, eyes drinking in the swathe of colour and conversation.

Mouth drinking in a dark brown nectar.

Big Tony is at the front of the line. Five feet two inches of miniature goddam rock and roll.

Elvis has entered the building.

White peacock jumpsuit. Rhinestones. Gold lame detail. Black hair. Black shades.

Your drink sir says Little Italy. Large latte with a smile on top. Thankyouvurymuch says Elvis. Little Italy melts, just a little.

Somewhere down the line there’s an argument. A full-blown barney with knobs on. They shout. They scream. They get in each other’s face with gusto and venom.

The line looks on and smiles. Life in the raw. Reality coffee.

He jabs his finger. She bites his jab. They burst out laughing and hug. The laughter spreads like wildfire. Soon the whole place is burning. Tears running down cheeks. Ribs aching.

Big Red is wearing her extra happy face. Little Italy has a smile a mile wide. She looks at the box on the wall. The Box has a treat in store.

The curtains open. The Crystals are on stage.

Number 123 slips onto the turntable. Da Doo Ron Ron comes blazing off the vinyl.

Sometimes you have to appreciate the sound before you can appreciate the silence...

************************************************

You've just read an extract from my book of urban romance...it's called Love & Coffee.

All my published books are available separately from those nice people at Amazon…right here.

(Urban Essays):

Ad Interruptus: https://amzn.to/3AmkfjQ

Ad Infinitum: https://amzn.to/3pof7Uq

Ad Lib: https://amzn.to/2kd4LKf.

Ad Hoc: https://amzn.to/2Nx8GL8

(Unfinished): Ad Astra

(Urban Romance)

Love & Coffee: https://amzn.to/28IWaHq

(Humorous Science Fantasy)

Heaven Help Us: https://amzn.to/2nkQ1Jk

Or…you can pop along to my new website at brycemain.co.uk and have a sneaky peek at them all together in the one place.

And choose one for 2023...