# Before the Coffee Gets Cold  ## About - Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi and Geoffrey Trousselot - Title: Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Share: https://notes.peterfmcnair.com/before-the-coffee-gets-cold-by-toshikazu-kawaguchi-and-geoffrey-trousselot ## Excerpts Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust. Hirai saw Kei as a confidante with whom she could share anything. The emotional gravity was strong. Kei was able to accept anything – forgive anything – that Hirai let flow out. A single kind word from Kei could cut the cords of tension that ran through her. At that moment, it would have been enough for Kei to say just one more kind thing and the truth would have come pouring out. Kei was looking at her with concern. Hirai could tell, even without looking, and was therefore desperately avoiding looking at her. (Page 148) - Note: I love this imagery of "emotional gravity" – I've seen water before but introducing the metaphor of emotions as a heavy weight held by "cords of tension" is powerful. ---