Meet Yaya: An icon if there ever was one.
Hearts on the Line
I hope you enjoy this next installment of Hearts on the Line…
Merriweather Café and Coffee Shoppe was as much an institution in Garnet Falls as all the other establishments on Main Street. Back in the mining days it had been the General Store, and still maintained much of that charm. Rather than the “shabby chic” of many similar small town cafés, Cherry had worked her magic on Merriweather’s maintaining the rich history of the building without going full Cracker Barrel. You know what I mean.
The original tin ceiling tiles gleamed down upon the patrons, a sepia toned portrait of the original owners looked out from behind the counter. A few booths fashioned from old church pews and several four top table sets from various decades completed the look. It was an eclectic place, but it all made sense together.
Then there was the central feature of Merriweather’s. Yaya.
A truly ancient miniature black chihuahua, Yaya’s characteristic bulging eyes were encircled in snow white fir. With not a tooth to be found, her brilliant pink tongue always hung slightly out of her mouth.
What had begun as a place for Yaya to nap when she very occasionally came into the shop with Aunt Cherry had evolved into what can only be called a throne.
Placed directly across from the front entrance, though near enough to the espresso machine to always be warm enough for her fragile frame, and high enough for her to preside over all, Yaya lounged atop a red velvet cushion, gold tassels and all, wearing a sweater, no doubt knitted specifically for her by someone in the community, and wrapped loosely in her favorite blanket. Freshly washed. These were the non-negotiables.
Yaya lived with Cherry, and now Jenny, but she belonged to the whole town. When Yaya went to the vet, everyone clamored to know how her appointment had gone. When Yaya developed a new affinity for, I don’t know, ducks or toys that crinkled, folks went out of their way to provide. Even people who weren’t “animal people” loved and adored her. Most importantly, all customers paid tribute.
When you walked into the Shoppe, before you said hello to your neighbor, or took a look in the pastry case, you said hello to Yaya. Then, one of two things happened. She welcomed you with a kiss, a smile, maybe a sharp bark. Or, she snubbed you by turning away or bearing her teeth.
Much like fellow American icon Miranda Priestly, it was not always clear what you had done to displease her, but her answer for that day was final. Those customers who were snubbed paid full price for their coffee, what had become affectionately known as, “The Yaya Tax,” while the rest received a 10% discount.
Before you ask, yes. Yaya is real. Please allow me to offer you proof.
I mean, how could you not love that face?!
As I prepare to leave you for today, I want to extend my warmest thanks to Rosamond and her wife Rebecca for allowing me to include their dearly departed Yaya as the most iconic member of the Garnet Falls community.
Before Yaya, I would have told you that an animal I’d never met couldn’t possibly have impacted my life in any meaningful way. And I would have been wrong. Here’s hoping this portrayal keeps Yaya’s good work alive for years to come.
For more Yaya please go to Rosamond’s substack. There you can find years of her life chronicled alongside her parents and her anxious brother Dunkin.
Sincerely, Sydney
This post was composed on the traditional and stolen lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, and other First American peoples.