I threw the green apron over my head with one hand and swiped my ID with the other. "9:06" the screen showed. Yeah, Cher and I both want to turn back time!

Marty and Sharisha were at the front counter when I got there but neither seemed to notice I was running behind. It was another busy day and about half a dozen customers were lined up for their morning fix.

I had been working at this coffee place for about three months. You know the one, with the spread-eagle green mermaid logo and the milk-shake-like coffee drinks. It was a way to get a little spending money as I finished up my associate's degree in liberal studies from the local junior college. What I was going to do with that degree, and the rest of my life, was an open question, one my relentless parents tried to close every day.

Frankly, I was just having fun and not spending too much time figuring out the big-picture stuff. When you're 19, with no bills to pay and no family obligations, why not live it large? I was considered a pretty hot looking guy. I'm a mix of Italian, German and Native American, and have a Mediterranean look with dark curly hair and a strong nose and high cheekbones. I'm about five-foot-10 and stocky and muscular from playing ...