Hoping it gets more crowded

There are a few times when I hope the location I'm at becomes more crowded. Church is one. And...the other would be...still thinking...not quite sure I can come up with another example. I know that businesses need to be busy in order to stay open, but I kind of like it when the movie theater, museum, and/or restaurant is empty. I want them to be busy, but not when I'm there. Which is crazy to say when you live in downtown Chicago.

But I'm sitting here in a local cafe in my neighborhood and it's an answer to prayer. I've been hoping for a place like this. The South Loop has a lot of chain stores. There's a huge Target, Home Depot, Whole Foods, and Jewel. There's a cramped Starbucks and a Potbelly's and a Subway and, of course, a Dunkin Donuts. But no local coffee shop/diner where I can hang out. Until now.

Donna's Cafe just opened a couple weeks ago and the people are simply fantastic. I ordered a tea and a cookie a half hour ago and as I was enjoying this, the woman at the counter said, "Pssst!" I looked up and she motioned for me to come to her. "I just took these out of the oven," she whispered, and she pushed another cookie toward me. A little later, another person came by and offered to refill my tea. This kind of hospitality is rare in these parts.

But I sit here alone. I want Donna's to stay open so, for her sake, I won't mind sitting in a crowded cafe.