Cresil

Monday

It was time. I'd thought against it for so long but today had gotten the better of me.

"I'll have a double cheeseburger and large fries" I sighed at the cashier.

My diet was ruined.

"Would you like a drink with that?" She asked.

"Only the largest chocolate milkshake you have."

As I waited for my order, I slouched against the counter with my weight rested upon my elbows. While I was going about my business today it suddenly struck me I might be alone for the rest of my life. Did anyone else suffer such unwanted epiphanies?

That's right, I'm that girl. The girl who seems to have everything together when I'm actually a depression stricken worry wort who has existential crisis's every evening when I'm alone in my bed with nothing but my thoughts.

That wasn't about to happen tonight because tonight I had the delicious dripping cheese of a burger to keep me company whilst I settled down. I was miserable enough as it was without a longterm separation from junk food.

"Here's your meal, enjoy the rest of your day" chimed the cashier, extending a bag full of treats good enough to give anyone's stomach the rumblies.

"I'll try" I mumbled frankly before exiting the restaurant.

It started to rain about a half mile from home and I chose to shield my food inside my coat over my hair knowing full well I was sacrificing my brown locks to frizz. As I walked, a noise began to grow and take shape until I recognised a man's crackly voice. My eyes naturally drifted from left to right in an attempt to locate the source.

"Not today, no, no not today. Not me," said the voice.

I slowed in my power walk and my eyes settled on a little old man to the right. He sat on the wet floor in an alleyway where large, commercial bins were pressed against the walls. Draped in an old, hooded raincoat, he used a cardboard box to shield himself from the worst of the rain.

"Cur-curses, a thousand curses" he mumbled under his breath, rocking back and forth.

I thought about continuing on but a terrible feeling engulfed me as soon as I did.

"Hello? Excuse me?" I said uncertainly. "Are you alright?"

It was a stupid question as he clearly wasn't but I didn't know what else to say.

His head tilted up and his rocking slowed. It seemed he finally noticed me.

"Could you spare some change?" he asked his voice the bad kind of hoarse that suggested he might be unwell.

"I don't carry cash, sorry" I murmured before looking around for inspiration."Would a delicious burger from five guys be of interest?" I joked awkwardly.

I thought I saw him smile through the rain or at least his mouth made the right shape. It looked like an empty cave in there.

He held out his hand and I reluctantly passed over my delicious cure for loneliness. He peeked inside the bag and looked back up at me, I think, his eyes were obscured by the hood of the raincoat.

"You are a very sweet child aren't you" he stated, his voice notably softer. "Bless you."

I smiled, my face flushing thanks to my good deed. "No worries."

I continued on my way through the rain without my dinner to a serenade of 'bless you' although I swore I heard a 'sorry' in there too. I felt bad that I couldn't do more for the old man but I lived on my own and even I wasn't charitable enough to risk my own safety by inviting a stranger in. I could hardly help myself on the best of days. Besides, my apartment wasn't exactly fit for unexpected visitors.