Whenever people come in and say they want green tea in bulk - any flavour, any price; I know they are dying. When people have cancer in later stages, and doctors have given up on chemo and pills, radiation and chemical remedies, they finally turn to the holistic. Just so they can say they’ve really tried everything, so they can pretend there is still some hope left. It’s depressing as hell. The doctors recommend green tea, and they trustingly come flocking to me, wallets out, for verification that this will save them. There are whole websites dedicated to the miracle power of the tea-leaf. I mean, obviously it can’t do any harm – chock full of antioxidants and all that bullshit, but it sure can’t save them. As I’m spewing off statistics and health benefits to them, pointing out our tin sizes and discussing steeping times, I try not to look at their drawn faces. They look at me with child-hope, sadness, and determination.
It’s worst when the cancer patient’s spouse comes in. They know its all bullshit. They know that along with piping hot sencha they’re feeding their loved ones faith and lies. They know, but what is there to do? Nothing. So we lie. We all lie. The doctors, the lovers, the tea-tender and the person themselves. It’s really the only way left to handle anything.
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