Today started like any other normal day. I got up at 6:47, exactly, took a shower, ate my breakfast, and got dressed. Everyday was always the same. A routine I always went through. Change scared me. I'm so accustomed to the familiar pattern of right shoe on first, a spritz of cologne on my chest, and running my face under cool water, that any subtle change makes me neurotic. After my daily routine was done and I headed out the door, I stopped by the nearest coffee shop to see my favorite barista, Darla. Darla knew exactly what I liked. Caramel latte, no whip, no foam, double shot of espresso, one pump of caramel, and shaken, not stirred. Darla never got my order wrong. I breezed into the front door, expecting to see Darla's smiling face. Instead, I was greeted by a complete stranger. I had to take deep breaths to calm myself. Where was Darla? This was very unusual. I ordered my regular, but the new barista messed it up. I brushed it off and sat at my table. At least this was familiar. I began observing my table. The napkin holder was approximately two point five inches from the sugar packets. The sugar packets are supposed to be an inch away from the little coffee stirrers. I noticed something was off-kilter. I stared at the sugar packets again and realized that it was precisely thirty point seven degrees to the left. I rummaged through the sugars and discovered a piece of paper. It was addressed to me. It read:

To Mr. Mckay,

It is under my impression that you have something I need and vice versa.

In exchange for your precious Darla, I need you to bake me one of your

delicious apple pies. Meet me at tonight at the dock, Eight O'clock. If you

fail to comply you will suffer the consequences of neuroticisim.

Darla's been kidnapped? Oh man, Darla's been kidnapped! I frantically thought of what to do. An idea came to me. I will go to the dock and give this man a delicious pie. I need my Darla back. She's the only one who knows how to make my coffee perfectly. I was in a whirlwind baking this pie, and at eight o'clock I rushed to the dock. The kidnapper was Mrs. Levie, and old woman who has been after my mothers apple pie recipe for years. I politely gave Mrs. Levie the pie in exchange for my Darla. I was so glad I got her back.

The next morning, I wore up at 6:47, exactly, took a shower, ate my breakfast, and got dressed. I bounded into the coffee shop with a huge grin. Change isn't too bad, I thought. So, today, I let Darla stir my coffee.