Eddies

As I moved into the checkout line at the grocery store, the young girl in front of me noticed my looking at the conveyor’s surface and began restacking her family’s food items to make room for my own.

I thanked her for her thoughtfulness with a warm, inclusive smile and then noted all their food was precooked and prepared, as one buys when they have no stove but maybe an ice chest or small refrigerator.

As her mother’s bill tallied up, there was a sudden glitch in their system. Confusion and pressured distress hid the inward panic as the young girl’s face blanched. They discussed and realized as they stood there frozen that there was no more cash or credit available on their card for foodstamps.

“We need to put it all back,” the mother fumbled, yet stood there unmoving. The two girls shuffled the food a bit, conflicted and dismayed, and on impulse I asked, “How much is the difference?” What was the bill remaining to be paid so they could leave with all of their considered efforts?

While I waited to hear a clear answer, worried if I was in a position to help without it hurting my own family, the older gent checker swiped his own credit card for them and sent them on their way. I could only feel deep compassion for this hardshipped family, having myself been in the same situation. I hoped that they would be ok.