Bob’s Tim Horton's Salvation

 

The first day of the year always came with a cost. For Bob, it wasn’t the resolutions or the leftover fireworks smoke in the air—it was the sheer weight of exhaustion that followed a long night of celebration. This New Year’s Day was no different.

Bob rolled out of bed, his phone alarm blaring “Auld Lang Syne” on repeat. His head throbbed, his feet ached, and his body begged for one thing—coffee. Not just any coffee, but an industrial-strength, make-you-believe-in-miracles brew.

Bob threw on a parka, grabbed his keys, and shuffled into the frosty Toronto morning. The streets were quiet, save for a few other brave souls seeking their own forms of revival. Bob knew where he had to go—Tim Horton's, Canada’s unofficial hangover headquarters.

When he arrived, the familiar smell of coffee and fresh donuts greeted him like an old friend. He staggered up to the counter and muttered, “I need coffee. Big coffee. Like, save-my-life coffee.”

The teenager behind the counter, who looked like he’d had a rough night himself, gave Bob a knowing nod and pointed to a stack of boxy wonders sitting proudly on the counter.

“Coffee Traveler,” the employee said. “Twelve cups. Fresh. Strong. Canadian-approved.”

Bob’s eyes lit up. “I’ll take one,” he said, then paused. “No, better make it two. Just in case.”

As Bob waited for his order, he admired the festive red maple leaf design on the coffee boxes. They sat beneath a string of red tinsel, glimmering with promise. Always Fresh – Toujours Frais, the boxes declared, like a mantra for the caffeine-deprived.

Minutes later, Bob walked out of the Tim Horton's with his treasures—two Coffee Travelers clutched tightly, steam rising from the spouts. He couldn’t wait. Setting one box on the hood of his car, he poured a cup right there in the parking lot.

The first sip was magical. Bold, rich, and hotter than he expected. “Sweet mercy,” Bob muttered, clutching the cup like it was liquid gold.

Back at home, the coffee fueled Bob through the rest of the day. He sorted photos from last year, updated his blog and even managed to clean up the confetti explosion in his living room.

As the sun set on January 1st, Bob raised his mug to the unsung hero of his day: Tim Horton's.

“Here’s to you,” he said with a grin. “And here’s to Canada’s finest fuel.”