Lonely Lessons

Adrian Ender snarled at the space behind the cashier's head, not acknowledging the young woman as she scanned his soda and candy bar, not noticing how pretty she was or the sad glow coming from her grayish eyes, not thinking about anything but the fact that he was late. Late for the most important meeting of his life.

The woman finally finished and Adrian threw a five at her and tapped his foot as she counted out his 42 cents in pennies and dimes. He snatched up his lunch and didn't pause on his way toward the door to see the elderly ladies huddled around a hanging bucket, kindly asking for spare change.