There's something refreshingly melodic about the sweeping of a dirty floor. Crumbs give way to fresh linoleum; and the light from moon's reflection on the floor surface tells me that I've done a good job.
The last of the customers left just over an hour ago, and since Consuela is no where to be found, I am left cleaning up the store on my own. I've given our apple-faced friend the day off and part of me begins to wonder if he will find his way back here ok...
Before the thought has left my mind, I hear a tapping on the glass and look to see a beaming smile nestled between the rosy apples of his well fed cheeks. As I walk towards the door I notice that he has Donna standing with him.
"Hello!" I say surprised to see her. A moment later concern washes over my face, to which Donna instantly shoos away with a flippant gesture.
"Nothing to worry about," she starts "he just wanted me to be here when he gave this to you." She tells me with a twinkle in her eye.
"Come in," I tell them and place the broom against the counter as I walk towards the fridge to offer both of them something cool to drink. I give our Apple faced friend a Sprite, his favourite, and then motion to Donna who simply asks for a water.
"Jim came to see me today at the hospital," she starts as I take the lid off the bottle and hand it to her. "He was very excited, and insisted I come with him." She takes a gulp of water and motions for me to sit down, which I do.
"So anyhow, I did since it was a slow day -- and well, he wanted me to help him buy a present for you," she says almost squealing with delight.
My heart softens just a little at the thought of him going out and trying to buy me something. I tell him thank you as he hands over a small gift still in its paper bag from the store.
"I got him to remove the price," Donna says as she gets comfortable and waits for me to open it. I take a second or two to make out the shape with my fingers before opening the bag and peeking in.
"It's beautiful," I exclaim and have Donna help me immediately put the necklace on. It rests just above my collar bone, where I like it and I look in the mirror again before turning to the now blushing Jim to thank him once again.
"It's very beautiful," I say again and again so he understands that the gift is appreciated and well received.
"He had me help with the engraving," Donna prompts as I turn it over to read something written from his heart to mine:
Sister and Friend
"It's perfect," I tell him as I try to hold back an rogue tear.
With that Jim stands and heads upstairs to his room. A moment later Donna stands and heads out the front door, and I take a moment to appreciate this small token from a man whom everyone had forgotten.
I take another moment to reflect on the reality of the world we live in -- one that values complacency over compassion. A world that dismisses rather than embraces.
And yes, while the teddy bear charm may not be of particular fashion or trend -- it has value and special meaning to Jim. So, it now has value and special meaning to me.
I pick up my broom and sweep up the last of the crumbs before taking off my apron and turning off the lights. Thoughts whirl past me -- some melancholic, some exhilarating. And I now know that if I can somehow channel the lessons I've learned from helping Jim into a story that I can be proud of, that perhaps complacency in the world will weaken; and compassion will have its day.
