Fridays at Panera is a new series about the goings on at the local Panera near me. Names are as close to real unless there needs to be privacy. Pictures may be added if permissable.

It was the first time I went to this particular Panera. Semi local cause there is another that I think is closer, but I guess they’re pretty close to the same distance.

9:30AM, just dropped the kids off at school and I went for a drive. It was overcast and while I didn’t think it’d be busy, I didn’t care. I wanted a pastry and breakfast. And definitely some orange juice.

In line stood a single customer, completing her order, talking to the worker about the rain that had just started to fall. He complained about the leak in his car, worried about the result after his shift. She didn’t care, or didn’t hear. She was preoccupied with the conversation her husband was having in the booth behind her, with who I think was their granddaughter.

I only know his name, Luis, since she had used his name for the order. I thought it was cute.

Older Hispanic couple, speaking broken English to their family member, while she responded in a tone I thought to be rude, considering it was her grandparents, but they didn’t care so why did I. They talked about alot of things including some jump she had made. It’s hard to be nosy when you can’t understand the conversation.

The Panera was quite busy – people on laptops working, occupying booths for the entire morning, entire day for all I know. Couples, singles, older and younger. One person playing feverishly on their Nintendo DS.

I sat and waited for my food, drank my orange juice, and sipped from my free cup of water.