Publix & a Purple Cowboy

I was in line at a Publix in Hollywood Florida dressed appropriately in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. An older black male was in line in front of me counting some meager change and holding a $10 bill. He had one of those lemon-pepper roasted chickens and an 18-pack of Hawaiian Rolls. When cash register operator rang up the two items the amount was over $10 and change, close to $11.00. The gentleman told the middle-aged male operating the cash register that he couldn’t buy the $3.00 rolls. The clerk, obviously sad for what appeared to be a person living on the street, put the rolls on the side of the bagging area and gave the man his change,.

As that gentleman moved away counting his change, the cash register operator began scanning my small order. As he scanned the final item, a cowboy from Louisiana wearing a purple shirt appeared and said, “I want those rolls.” The clerk said, “you mean these?” and the cowboy said “yep”. After the clerk scanned them, the cowboy picked them up from the conveyor belt, walked over to the street gentleman that was still carefully counting his change and said, “I bought these and I want you to have them.” -That older man’s smile revealed missing and yellowing teeth, and the crinkle emanating from his eyes and the creases in his loose cheek skin conveyed his gratitude. The cowboy stepped back in line beside me.

The Hispanic lady behind me wiped her eyes with the end of her scarf and the clerk thanked me several times. What appeared to be a store manager stepped over from the next register and added his thanks. I didn’t do anything but nod as I punched in my debit card passcode, gathered my groceries and walked toward the door. Sometimes that purple wearing Louisiana cowboy can render me speechless too!

Epilogue — I sat in my Ford Escape and watched as the gentleman met two of his friends (one male, one female) and showed them. with obvious pleasure, what he had gotten for them to share. I literally trembled as a shower of emotion washed my insides.

I guess you had to be there —

I’m glad I was!

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