You tell yourself she will be your last try for today before you give up and return home. She's the last customer left in the store anyway, and no one else seems to be following in, so what's the harm in staying for one more?

As she finishes checking out, after giving you the same smile everyone else has, she reaches into her sandwich and rips off a piece of the meat in it, and places it right in front of you.

Finally! you think to yourself. Your choice to stay was worth it for the food.

As she watches you eat the meat, she pulls out a few pieces more, pats you on the head with compliments galore, takes a picture of you as you eat, and walks out.

You stop to think about what just happened. You've never gotten this kind, or any kind, of attention before. You had your first fresh meal, and even got a head pat and some words of affirmation while you were at it.

.

How do you keep going after this?

Maybe you'll try and come back again tomorrow. Maybe you'll see the girl again. Maybe this is a regular stop for the girl rather than a one-day thing.

Today was nice. But maybe you'll make this a one-day treat or a special treat. Maybe this was an out-of-the-way stop rather than a daily occurrence, so maybe that should be the same for me.