Consideration

He was homeless and stopped me in my thoughts.

With two canvas bags under each arm, I struggled like a disjointed stork from the supermarket. Why hadn’t I picked up a trolley? Life could be so much easier with a moment’s forethought.

I glimpsed him from the corner of my eye. I would have to waddle past him with my bounty of goods. He was always there, same place, usually the same clothes. His appearance was a rumple of grey shadows, a tired thought of existence.

He knew all the faces that frequented the supermarket. He knew their children, their senior parents. All were met with the same distant faded eyes, the fog of an ocean mist. His gaze lingered, floated in like a cool breeze. I half-expected to hear seagulls.

Blanketed in my mask, I hoped he wouldn’t recognize me. He wore no mask over the wild snowdrift of beard.

His jingle rang out. I knew it would. I had heard it before many times, or at least I thought I did. It was no doubt the usual the panhandlers prattle. Or perhaps I had never heard it… either way I was prepared to blank it.

“A little consideration, sir?”

My thoughts shook slightly and I slowed. “Pardon me?”

“A little consideration?”