Myth and Magic [Andrea]

It was easy for one to be cynical with age, especially when it came to younger generations. Lazy, unreliable, ignorant, useless… He’d heard it all directed towards himself when he was a pup. He’d barked the same accusations at the mobsters-in-training under his wing, back when he’d been “Black” Jack Hitchcock. It wasn’t until Jack had unwittingly had to live through a ‘second’ childhood that he’d gained a newfound optimism towards the younger generation. He wouldn’t deny that sometimes a stereotype was a stereotype for a reason. But more often than not, youngsters delighted and surprised him these days.

Which was exactly what had happened when Andrea had followed up on her promise and called him up with the reminder of coffee and conversation.

Bless that sweet girl!

They’d arranged to meet at a diner he’d recommended. It was nothing fancy, a plain affair with basic tables and chairs. But it was popular. He liked this place. What it lacked in flash and pretentiousness, it made up in food quality. That and proper Italian coffee. Jack had no objection to the standard filter-brew one found in most places, but this place was where one came for the good stuff.

He sat at a table for two, coat draped over the back of his chair. With glasses perched on the end of his nose, he delicately sipped at his espresso, reading a worn paperback titled The Mythology of Mutation. A small flat parcel wrapped in brown paper sat on the table in front of him.

It was quiet moments like this that Jack cherished more and more in his advanced age. The comfortable awareness of simple pleasures and sensations. He smiled to himself, taking another sip of coffee as he waited.