In the mind

It was obvious that the man in front of me has never been to Subway.    He immediately started ordering from the breakfast menu when it was clearly the afternoon.  I would have too, it’s the cheapest item on the menu.  He was lacking all the common etiquettes that the rest of us knew about ordering.  Yes, you get a choice of bread. It was obvious that he was trying to get the most for his money. He struggled to understand the prices, the choice of ONE meat, and the value meal. He was rough looking. Loud, but seemed courteous. It was easy to understand why the people around him were a little uneasy. 

No one wanted to stand next to him.  Everyone was scattered.  There was no form of a line at all.  He was the only one standing at the counter.. I was hungry and I saw my opportunity to move ahead of everyone.  Nobody seemed to mind. 

He had a book that was about as thick as penny that he almost left at the “start here” part of the line.  I reminded him to get his book.  He thanked me and mumbled “I can’t lose this book it’s a good read.”  The book was something about Muslim faith.

I couldn’t help but study him and try to learn his story.  The tattoos on his arms and neck were pictures with shakey lines. There were symbols and words that had no meaning to me. A different language apparently.  His hair was long and tangled in 4 different colors.  (Yeah I noticed.. my wife is a hair stylist).

Of course I paid for his stuff.  I was trying to get my food and it would have taken him forever to count all the change he dumped on the counter. The employees and customers were a bit taken back when I said “put his stuff with mine.” The cashier seemed human again and smiled.   Maybe my gesture smothered the tension and reminded people that he was just trying to get food too.

On my way out he said “you just keep looking out for me don’t you?” Maybe he thought I was a prophet, but then I realized he was talking to his book again.  He looked up and I said “take care,” he told me to do the same and thanked me.

I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate I was.  It’s easy to forget and it’s sad that I am only reminded of fortune when misfortune stares me in the face.  After all, 22 million Americans are without jobs. My company added 16 more to that list.  It’s hard times.

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