The line at the sandwich shop was a few people deep when I went in to grab lunch. I was about to get out my phone for a distraction when the lady in front of me turned around, smiled and held up a coupon. “Buy one sandwich, get one free,” she said. “Do you want the other one?” I suggested she take it home for later, but she shook her head.
I accepted her offer—but only if she would let me get her a drink. Since we were both by ourselves, we sat down together. “I’m Rachel, by the way,” she said. I introduced myself and asked if she’d had a good day. Rachel shrugged and said her husband had passed away recently. “I’m still getting used to living alone,” she said.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “We lost my father-in-law a few years ago, and my mother-in-law has struggled with loneliness too.” Rachel smiled and patted my hand across the table. “I’m not alone now though,” she said.
We talked about our children and her grandchildren, which church we each attend and the fact that we are both former teachers. I enjoyed our chat—and my inexpensive lunch. From now on, I’ll be saving my BOGO coupons so I can treat someone else.
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