Ashley McCuin works at the Round House, on the counter, in the kitchen. She graduated from college last year with a degree in social work and is leaving the cafe this Saturday to begin a new job south of her helping the ill and the disabled get to where they need to go. She’s nervous but excited.

The Round House is a community cafe, Maria and I are often there and sometimes, the staff feels like family. We know them very well, I’m always conflicted when somebody leaves. I’m grateful for Ashley, she is extremely competent and efficient, and I’m excited for her, beginning a new career is one of the most exciting turning points in life.

She is understandably a bit nervous, but that will fade quickly, she knows what she is doing, she is tough and poised. She has a nice boyfriend, I approve, not that it is any of my business, or that anyone asked me.

Still, we and others will  miss her, the Round House is like a wheel, all kinds of neat people move through there. Ashley will work at the Round House on Friday nights, pizza and music night. I’m glad I passed by while she was on  her lunch break today, I wanted to wish her luck. The photo reminded me of Robert Frank.