Day 7

SO today was Black Friday and I work at Barnes and Noble in Tyler TX. The college kiddos are home all over East Texas for Turkey Day and seem to be attached to the espresso machine at my cafe. I was sitting this morning watching a young girl in an UNT sweatshirt as she sipped a tall brewed coffee and poured over a Spanish text. When I was walking around cafe I passed a comment about hitting the books. She responded that this was the first Friday off in a year of college. She is a waitress and pays her way through school-first generation shout out. I stood there chatting with her amongst the chaos of the busiest shopping day of the year and remembered bust my feet as a carhop at Sonic my freshman year. I was a carhop at the famous drive chain in San Marcos-we were considered waitresses and most customers did not know so a tip was a welcomed thing. I knew right then what my gift was today. As I traveled the hour home I pass a small town sonic in Whitehouse Texas-so I pulled in for my addiction-Dt. Coke. When the young haggard looking girl came out to hand me my 1.72 beverage I waited while she was breaking my ten dollars. She handled me as they are trained the bills first and then slipped my coin change. She smiled and went to turn when I said-sweetheart you forgot your tip I slipped a $5 bill in her hand. She was startled. Her haggard smile became bright. I told her I once was her and wished her a good night. It was a few dollars of gas or a tub of poopcorm with friends at a movie which I do not know for her- but it was for me the chance to be the customer I wish I had always had.