Cigarette/Coffee Break

My thumb twitched involuntarily, a result of nerve spasms or whatever medical jargon they assign to it. I casually flicked off the ash from my lit cigarette, observing as it floated away into the air. With each inhale, the second-hand smoke created ephemeral images of angels gracefully dancing among the clouds. I watched them intently until they dissolved into the chilly night air. In this fleeting moment, a sense of tranquility washed over me.

The coldness outside was piercing, even more so than the temperature artificially maintained indoors. The atmosphere felt distinct within the confines of this former US Air Base, perhaps due to the expansive open fields surrounding it. The instant coffee in my disposable cup failed to provide the warmth I sought. Mental note: Always remember to bring a jacket.

Nevertheless, I found solace in sitting on the benches outside the office. My colleagues and I would gather, engaging in lighthearted conversations, sharing genuinely funny jokes, appreciating the beauty of the opposite sex, and amusing ourselves with miniature skateboards. Anything to alleviate the stress that comes with work.

Yet, alas, the fifteen minutes allotted for this respite had come to an end. It was time to once again confront the battles within myself. I eagerly awaited the next cigarette or coffee break, yearning for that fleeting peace to wash over me once more...