Coffee had conquered my lungs. My friends had left the coffee shop, all of their work was done, and it was just me, alone at the table. A group of older men and women were in a circle at the other side of the shop, conversing about who knows what. The door clanged open and the bell on the door rang. A woman in her late 20’s came in through the door with a baby, about one fifth of my size.

The baby seemed to be from 1 to 2 years old, with short, blonde hair and big, blue eyes. It stared off in all directions with wonder in its eyes. Its facial expression suggested that it was confused or concerned. It intrigued me, so much so that I took out my earbuds. It’s gaze would dart from object to object, stopping for a second longer when it saw humans. And suddenly, like it was destiny, it looked onto me, with the same wonderous gaze. It studied me for a second and a half.

After that, it’s eyes just moved on, without a second thought. It made me think about how much we take for granted, how much happens around us that is so mundane everyday that doesn’t get appreciated. This child just looks at everything, learning everything it can and no one would have noticed it if they weren't looking. It’s strange how the subtlest things are sometimes the most interesting things.