The First Step

I admit I am powerless over coffee. I wake up smelling coffee every morning, even before the coffee pot is on. I consume copious amounts of coffee to wake me up in the morning, and then often return for more in the afternoon. I am not too picky - I drink alone at home; with friends at the local Starbucks, Joshua Cup, and Jittery Joe's; I even do it at work, and *gasp* in the car.

My addiction started when I was only 16, in the basement coffee bar, The Magic Bean. I started with sweet-tasting concoctions with fancy names, like Mochaccino, Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappe. As time went on I started drinking the foulest of brews, like regular old commercial black, straight from the pot.

My addiction affects every part of my life. I get headache-y and snappish if I don't have my morning cup. I have to constantly caution my kids, "Be careful! Mommy's got hot coffee in her hand!" Driving with one hand on the wheel, the other balancing my cup because my car's cupholder is too large, causing my cup to wobble and coffe to spill out. I am overly friendly with the bathrooms around town.

Excuse me, but I've just finished my first and need to refill my cup.....