The Investment - Day 181:5 Minute Freewrite
The Investment
Her ragged jeans and unkempt hair hit him first as she walked slowly to the register.
Circles of purple colored her deepset brown eyes.
She laid a candy bar and bag of potato chips on the counter and slid a rumpled dollar bill across the counter worlessly. What struck him was the gaze she held. Clear and fearless, reminding him of birds of prey out in the hills out home.
He counted the change. She was literally short a dime.
"Do you have another dime, Miss?"
She dug into her dirty jean pocket, shoulders hunched and mouth pursed. After a minute she shook her head and reached to pull the candy bar off the counter.
The old woman behind her leaned in with a gentle smile and placed a dollar on the counter.
"Here, honey, keep the change."
The girl faltered, tears pricked her eyes, but she didn't speak. She nodded and grabbed the chips and candy then whispered, "Thank you," as she rushed out into the night.
When the shop keeper left after his shift he looked up the street and down. At the far end he saw her. He strode down the street to where she sat, staring into the town beyond.
"Hi," he ventured.
She looked at him steadily, but didn't speak.
"I'm heading to the diner up there, can I buy you a cup of coffee or some food?"
She stood slowly, brushing off her jeans and followed him.
She ordered a burger, fries and a soda.
"I don't know your story, young lady, but no one should go hungry."
"Thank you, mister," she said.
As he paid the bill to the aging waitress he looked at her.
"Come back tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. You'll get a hot meal here, until you get things sorted out."
Her eyes said everything he needed. He nodded to the waitress and left a $20 on the table.
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Awwww... this had me all choked up. Seriously, I love this so much. <3
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Thank you, @byn. I really appreciate your sweet comment and the prompt delivery. hugs
That's nice of the man. Wish everyone could be like that, this world would definitely be a better place.
Thank you, I agree. The world would be a much better place. <3
the sad souvenirs, tapih I love to read it
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you writing with us!
I also thank for @wandrnrose7
I also thank for @wandrnrose7
Thank god for people like him and the sweet old lady. :-)
Hugs, I was in a grateful mood last night ;) thanks for stopping!
You're very welcome. :-) Always happy to stop by to read, or say hi.
Nice story about paying it forward. When I was in Canada on vacation last, I noticed people doing this, buying food for folks less fortunate or just down on their luck. It is really heartwarming to see and feels good to do it too.