The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
I’m Thinking Lovely
She parks in the first spot outside Arby’s, and he waits patiently in the passenger side, readying his oxygen tank as she comes slowly around the long Buick. She wrestles with his walker, which seems to want to stay in the backseat. He makes loops with the tube between his nose and the tank, he adjusts the shoulder strap, he nods patiently as she exclaims something just before the walker comes free. She unfolds it to stay upright, soft cloth over the places where he will rest his hands, then opens his door and helps him out. A gust of wind blows her grey curls, but she secures him before patting her hair back into place. He begins his slow trek inside as she locks the door and shuts it. She peers at the car to be sure everything is in order, then takes two quick steps to catch up.
She holds the door for him these days. And as her husband moves into the restaurant, she tucks his blue dress shirt into his back of his pants. It was just a bit untucked and she couldn’t help herself. He stopped and turned his head toward her slowly, as though he might chastise her for picking at him, for grooming him while he was unable to counter the maintenance. But he didn’t. He leaned toward her and she leaned in as if to hear him. Then he kissed her on the cheek, like an old couple in a commercial. She shrugged, flustered, and held open yet another door. How lovely to see in real life! How lovely to catch–at a gas station Arby’s on a Sunday morning–such an enviable love.
–Exit 312, Nebraska
My grandparents (not in the story, but close!)
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
Good stuff. I’ve been at that Arby’s many times and never seen this kind of sweetness. Maybe next time . . .
I can’t wait to be an oldster!
True Love! Beautiful!
It was such a sweet scene. I like thinking of it both as a life-long love story, but I also like the possibility that they met on Bingo night in assisted living.
There is no “like” strong enough for this. So vivid, too! Love, love, love.
Thanks so much! Ain’t love grand!
What a world – if you only pay attention – Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment we all wish and dream for. You made me feel like I knew what came before it.
Thanks for the kind comment! I agree. It made me really wonder about “growing old together.”
Or even: Growing Old. Growing Together. Growing old together.
Yesss! Even better!
beautiful writing. “How they met” romances are fun, but love that has lasted the years is far more impressive.
Thanks so much! I felt very lucky to have caught this little love story.
I love this! It reminds me of responses I got to my “Isn’t it Romantic” post– do you mind if I link to here from my comments?
Of course! I’d be honored. 🙂
Reblogged this on The Nice Thing About Strangers.
It’s what we aim for, isn’t it – that lifelong knowledge of someone and love for them.
Beautiful and moving. Love your writing and the subject matter.
Thanks! I can’t wait to be old and in love. 🙂
you have the best seats in the house, Paige! 🙂 a truly moving post that makes me believe that love exists.
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I’ve been to that Arby’s! And have been fortunate to see such a scene many times out here. Thank you for capturing this.
Aww. I got teary…nice
Woo hoo! I’m glad I could get you choked up. I LOVED seeing this, and I think it’s still one of my favorite senior sightings of all time. (My own lovely grandparents excluded, of course.)
Thanks, Peter.
Paige
Don’t gloat. Lol. I’m still a man so I will deny, deny,deny… Like Shaggy says “Wasn’t me!” Lol 😉
i love old photos …. are so communicative