THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER

THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER

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Everyone knows the girl behind the counter.

She's the one at the pharmacy,

the convenience store,

the greasy spoon,

she can be anywhere.

She's not the one

with the "sad sack" look,

the "get lost" look,

the "I'd rather be anywhere else" look.

There's lots of those kinds,

but there is another kind.

She's the kind that looks you in the eye,

and with a little smile,

asks you

if you are having a good day.

That's nice, right?

You notice her.

She's not stunning,

but she is,

well,

she is pleasing to look at,

in part at least,

because she is smiling at you.

She's also talking to you,

and you like the sound of her voice:

it sounds warm and friendly.

Instinctively

you like her,

though to be quite honest,

you don't know her at all.

The beauty of it is

that for the briefest of moments,

together,

both you, and she

share a relationship,

a feel good interlude in the day.

It's free.

It costs neither you nor she anything;

nor does it engage either of you

in any way at all.

But,

as you walk out the door,

look back.

Maybe she will offer you

the gift of a parting smile,

and if she does,

could there be a next time,

what then? Lakeside9 September 10, 2019