Table For Three?

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Susannah Bianchi

   I’ve come to resent the phone, how they’ve taken over the earth like aliens from another planet.

  Between dodging those scrolling in your path, to no one paying attention to anything but Facebook, I’ve had it.

 But what sealed the deal was when someone I hadn’t seen in a while invited me for coffee. From the minute he sat down, plunking his iPhone 17 on the table, knew the visit was doomed.

   I should have feigned a headache knowing my patience would snap.

  What bothered me most was, after ordering Lattes and a croissant to split, he never took his eyes off his phone, even as he spoke. He finally saw I didn’t look too happy.

  “What’s the matter? It’s so nice to see you, by the way.”

  “Really? You could’a fooled me.”

   He looked confused as only a man can. I could have been on fire and he wouldn’t have noticed.

   I had to decide, would I confront or withdraw?

   Paulo Coelho whispered…if it costs you your peace remember, it’s too expensive. So I took the highroad.

   “It’s really nice to see you too. “

   It was then his phone buzzed and he said, like he was about to save the world, “Oh, I need to take this.”

   That’s when I got up, asked the barista for a paper cup, and me and my Latte alighted the room.

   When I looked back through the window, he hadn’t even realized I had gone.

  My one regret was leaving that croissant.

SB

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About Susannah Bianchi

I'm just a girl who likes to write slightly on slant. I've had a career in fashion, dabbled in film and to be honest, I don't like talking about myself. Now my posts are another matter so I will let them speak for themselves. My eBooks, A New York Diary, Model Behavior: Friends For Life and Notes From A Working Cat can be found on Amazon.com. Thanks.
This entry was posted in Culture, food, friendship, humanity, internet, men, New York City, Starbucks, women, Women and men, words, writing and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

33 Responses to Table For Three?

  1. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    March 18, 2026 at 8:24 am

    Totally unforgivable on his part. You did the right thing for sure. Distracted people just drive me up the wall. Yeah, too bad about the croissant. 🥐

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Kate Crimmins's avatar Kate Crimmins says:
    March 18, 2026 at 8:26 am

    Never leave the croissant! What were you thinking? Ditch the guy but not the food! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. kingmidget's avatar kingmidget says:
    March 18, 2026 at 9:46 am

    When we first got phones, and particularly when our kids got theirs, I suggested that when we all got home after school or after work, that we put the phones in a basket in the kitchen so they didn’t become the distractions that they have become. The missus wasn’t interested. So … we all walk around the house with phones in our hand, more concerned with what is going on on the phones than what is going on around us.

    I hate it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. lois's avatar lois says:
    March 18, 2026 at 10:08 am

    You left the croissant?! But you left him, too. Great move, Susannah.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. derrycats's avatar derrycats says:
    March 18, 2026 at 11:29 am

    Wonder how long it took him to realize you’d left?!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Hykeham Photography Group's avatar Hykeham Photography Group says:
    March 18, 2026 at 2:14 pm

    Should have taken the croissant and left the coffee in his lap. Manners like that are unforgiveable.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. T. W. Dittmer's avatar T. W. Dittmer says:
    March 18, 2026 at 2:22 pm

    Yes, Susannah, a phone possesses some folks, and we deal with it the best we can.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Anne Mehrling's avatar Anne Mehrling says:
    March 18, 2026 at 9:29 pm

    People are so rude!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Susannah Bianchi's avatar Susannah Bianchi says:
      March 19, 2026 at 2:40 am

      Was it always that way? If so, maybe I just didn’t notice it. Hope you’re enjoying your esteemed company. So nice she’s there. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      • Anne Mehrling's avatar Anne Mehrling says:
        March 19, 2026 at 9:26 am

        Generally, people were not rude in the South where I grew up. Manners were important!

        Lise went home Tuesday. The house is louder now, because I’m playing music again. It was better to have silence so that I could hear her. She is aware I don’t hear well and speaks clearly, which I appreciate.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Susannah Bianchi's avatar Susannah Bianchi says:
        March 19, 2026 at 1:39 pm

        That month she was here flew by. I know how much you enjoy her company. Great you’re listening to music. It’s like a built-in friend. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Eilene Lyon's avatar Eilene Lyon says:
    March 18, 2026 at 10:30 pm

    I’m sorry our “civilization” has come to this. Very downright uncivil of him! My phone generally stays in my car when I go places. Even if it’s with me, I’m not looking at it if I’m with another person. We’re craving our personal audience with each other!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Susannah Bianchi's avatar Susannah Bianchi says:
      March 19, 2026 at 2:47 am

      Here affairs with your phone have gone viral. Who needs a relationship anymore when you have an iPhone glued to your hand. Do couples even talk anymore? Maybe they just text. I’m being flippant Eilene to mask my displeasure. You can’t compete with social media. I remember sending a friend a birthday card he never acknowledged but did tell me the 300 birthday wishes he got from FRIENDS on Facebook. I’ve never forgotten that. sigh

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. skinnyuz2b's avatar skinnyuz2b says:
    March 19, 2026 at 3:00 am

    It’s crazy. Everyone’s phone is so important to them, but they don’t use it to talk! You could have easily snagged the entire croissant without him noticing.

    I’m getting ready to catch a plane back to FL. My almost 99 yr old father got out of the hospital yesterday (RSV) and 88 yr old stepmom is home recovering from it. I’m the only one out of 10 kids from each of them that isn’t working full time anymore and isn’t afraid to go. I got the RSV vaccine a few days ago.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Susannah Bianchi's avatar Susannah Bianchi says:
      March 19, 2026 at 3:24 am

      Wow. And you just got back. It’s really wonderful of you Skinny to be so willing to help. Not always the case as you know. Glad you got the vaccine. We’ve become so vulnerable. Please be safe, take good care and keep in touch.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • skinnyuz2b's avatar skinnyuz2b says:
        March 20, 2026 at 7:11 am

        It’s hard to believe at their ages, but they are doing pretty well, My stepmom won’t sit and rest as much as she should, but at least she will leave and take a nap since I’m sitting with dad. He sits in his recliner watching old westerns or Perry Mason while playing solitaire on his laptop or doing wordsearch. Hopefully I won’t have to stay more than a week or two. I was afraid they would both be almost helpless.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Susannah Bianchi's avatar Susannah Bianchi says:
        March 20, 2026 at 7:48 am

        Nah, despite anything they sound tough. Can just see your dad in his recliner rootin’ for the good guys. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Life With The Top Down's avatar Life With The Top Down says:
    March 20, 2026 at 7:11 am

    I’ve never wanted a croissant to talk more than I do right now! Just imagine it sitting there with it’s buttery layers watching you escape the madness of this man. “Nah, it’s alright, go, save yourself, he’s a putz.” Yes, it’s a NY croissant.

    Like

    Reply

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