The Compassionate Clerk
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
The shopper had a lot on her mind. You could see it on her face. She looked tired, almost beleaguered, as if she were carrying a load you couldn’t see. She was a pleasant-looking woman, probably in her 60s, with short blonde hair and an open, round face. She needed to pick up a few things, so she decided to stop at her favorite grocery store, an upscale place that has quality products and store-made delicacies, all attractively displayed. Between the warm lighting and the welcoming ambience, it was one of those stores where you stop in to get one or two items and depart with a basketful.
The shopper picked up a couple of yogurts, seltzer and cold cuts, and went to check out. Nobody was on line ahead of her. The checkout clerk was a woman in her 30s or early 40s, so friendly she bordered on perky.
“So what kind of fun things do you have planned today?” the clerk said.
The shopper smiled faintly. A few moments of silence ensued as the clerk rang up the items. A private person by nature, the shopper isn’t one to spill her emotions, particularly with strangers, but the cheerfulness of the clerk somehow lowered her customary reserve.
“Well, I have to be honest,” the shopper said. “I don’t have fun things planned today. My husband has cancer and I have to take him for a chemo treatment today.”
The moment the words left her mouth, the shopper was shocked that she’d shared this information. It was so out of character.
“Oh no, I am so sorry,” the clerk said. “I hope the treatment goes well and he feels better.”
“Thank you,” the shopper said. She grabbed her grocery bag and headed for the exit, before deciding to stop and get a coffee at the Starbuck’s counter that was tucked right by the door. The shopper was waiting when the checkout clerk appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
“I wanted you to have these,” the clerk said, handing her a bouquet of flowers.
“Why?”
“Because I feel badly about what you and your husband are going through and I wanted you to have a better day,” the clerk said.
Clutching the bouquet in her right hand, the shopper thanked the clerk and promptly burst into tears. The shopper and the clerk shared a hardy hug and then the shopper walked out the door into the parking lot, a lousy day having gotten just a little better.
There you go again, you made me cry! Beautifully written and full of compassionate messages.