rind. Jessica was behind the counter, a

Emily! T

d, "Hey, I heard you have a VIP custome

t's just a small thing we're trying out, super informal. F

s a week. I probably spent m

ow does one get into th

ople who just really, really love coffee," she said, busying he

d a scone – no discoun

e Daily Grind. I also discreetly asked a couple of o

ern beca

sometimes even a little more for manager's special bundles that, when I calculated,

Another acquaintance, who also went without dropping my name, mentioned getti

yal customer, got nothing. In fact, it seemed I, an

mach. This wasn't just an ov

ld stop going so frequently. I'd let my investment ride, colle

their specialty beans I'd pre-ordered. I al

even. "Just here for my beans. And I wo

n, Kevin, a small boy around six, wa

p, his voice startlingl

the lady you s

fr

le, then red. "Kevin!

rd. "You said other people get a free cup with the big be