The Return of Bongo Boy

Perhaps you can go home again, after all.

My original coffee shop, Bongo Java Belmont, is back in my regular morning rotation.  For the past few years, I drifted away from Bongo Java for a variety of reasons, none of which I am going to write about today.  This morning, I want to be present and content with what Bongo Javi is in this moment.  

As of late, the vibe in Bongo Java has been tremendous.  Happy, friendly baristas who care about making a decent cup of coffee.  Baristas and other employees that seem to like enjoy each other's company.  Early mornings, before it gets busy, from my normal table I can hear them talking and laughing by the La Marzocco expresso machine.  It hasn't been that way for a while.The music, too, has been awesome, at least for me.  All 70's.  Eagles, ELO, Billy Joel, etc.  

A few of the regulars, like me, are returning or stopping by more regularly.  I am beginning to recognize new regulars, too.  They stop by every morning for a coffee to go or to have a quick bite to eat.  Finally, there is a grill cook - which should always have been the case - so I can order scrambled eggs with avocado, liken the old days.  

The old days.  I have so many memories of this place, all of them happy.  With JP and Joe, this was our home away from home for so many years when they were little.  From where I sit right now, watching the sun stream in the window of the exit door, I can almost glimpse Joe toddling around after waking up from a nap in his stroller on a Saturday afternoon, sippy cup in hand.  Or, at age four or five, JP sitting on the window seat in the back room with me across from him, as we eat breakfast before I take him to Children's House.  

On many mornings, I texted Carley when she was on the way to house and told her we would meet her at Bongo Java.  I ordered her a bagel, so it would be ready when she arrived.  She sat with Joe and me before I left for work.  It was perfect.  I miss those days.

Now, JP drives himself to MBA.  Jude drives Joe to USN, as he finishes up his last two months there before starting at MBA next year.  I sit here, in Bongo, for a few minutes before I hustle down to the office in Franklin for another in a long line of hectic days. 

Bongo Boy?  A character created by one of the baristas almost 20 years ago - probably George Dorrance - that was featured, cartoon like, in a brochure-like coloring book and on children's t-shirts.  I have one of the t-shirts that Joe wore.  It's a prized possession and I've saved it.

Maybe it's Indian summer at Bongo Java.  The vibe will change next month when Belmont U.'s school year ends and the students go home for the summer.  Some of the baristas will leave.  Bob B. (the owner) will reduce hours and I won't be here nearly as often, maybe not at all.  

Still, for now, I am going to enjoy Bongo Java, and the feeling that for a few weeks, it's been like it used to be.