Lil

I went to the market the other day. I went for the things I can't find at the produce market or Trader Joe's, or the things I can get at Trader Joe's but that I'm unwilling to drive that far to get. We only go to Trader Joe's every other week or so. Good prices, good food. A long way away. So I went Shaw's.

On my way to the checkout I was scanning the lanes for a shorter line. The lines weren't all that long - the express lane was longest and I had far more than ten items - but still, I like to try to pick a short one. A woman maybe in her fifties passed me heading in the opposite direction towards the express lane. Trailing her a few feet back was a small woman probably in her late seventies, maybe even in her eighties. Her hair was thinning and white, straight and cut about chin length. She had a sparse white beard of chin hairs and wore a pale blue winter jacket. Her face was open and vibrant.

I smiled and said "Hello." Her gazed latched onto mine. She smiled and spoke something I couldn't quite understand. She took hold of my arm saying "You remember me? You remember me?" "No, I don't think we've ever met. I'm Becky. What's your name?" I said holding out my other hand to her in greeting. At the same time her caretaker spoke to her "No, she doesn't know you." and then to me "Her name is Lil."

"Hello Lil. It's nice to meet you. Are you here buying some good food?" She grabbed me and hugged me close, she came up only to my shoulder. I noticed her caretaker holding just a turkey. "Oh you're having turkey. Aren't you lucky." She pulled at me begging, expectant, hopeful "You come home with me?" "No, I've got to get home to my little ones." I replied gently. She continued to hug my arm, happy to have found another friend, not quite ready to surrender me back to the world.

Her caretaker called to her and she let go of my arm. Our eyes met again as we said goodbye. Inside I was thinking that I did remember her. She reminded me of Pookie. Pookie seventy years from now. Pookie if she ever speaks. Content, open and loving. I hope she had a wonderful meal surrounded by friends and family. I hope Pookie will always be surrounded by friends and family. People who love her. I we all are always surrounded by people who love us.