A chocolate chip cookie and a Coke

With my daily commute, I tend to see a lot of the same people on a regular basis. Every day I see familiar commuters, subway conductors, bus drivers, MTA Police, workers within Grand Central and even the same homeless people.

There's one particular man I have seen for years. I remember him because I tend to spot him outside of the Zaro's Bakery situated across the hall from the bathroom where I take my daily photo. Often I catch him standing there, just staring through the glass window towards the baked goods. He barely moves. He just stands there, staring. I always assumed he was looking at whatever his most favorite item was, longing for the taste of it again.

(photo taken after I wrote the post - but that's really him, looking in the window I always see him in front of)

Several times I considered asking him if he wanted something from the bakery, but never actually went through with it.

I hadn't seen him in a few weeks, but as I was rushing past that intersection this Tuesday night, there he was, standing and staring into the same window.

I approached him.

"Do you want something from in there?"

I think my speaking to him caught him off guard - because it took him a few seconds to snap out of his stare - and I realized he seemed to be more zoning out towards the window than staring at the items in the window. But after a brief moment, he realized I was speaking to him and responded:

"A chocolate chip cookie and a Coke. Thank you, Ma'am."

He didn't even hesitate in his choice. I guess he likes carbs & sugar as much as I do.

I told him I wasn't sure the bakery sold Coke, but I'd see what I could do.

It was my first time in that Zaro's. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie and a Coke. And after paying an inexplicable $4.85, turned around and left.

As I handed him the bag and told him to take care, I wondered when was the last time he ate, what he ate, and still pondered why of all things he chose a chocolate chip cookie and a Coke. But I wasn't going to ask.

He didn't quite crack a smile but he seemed genuinely surprised by the gesture. He thanked me again, called me ma'am again, and offered me a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a God Bless You.

Then I turned and left because I was overcome with emotion and didn't want to cry.

Something tells me that even if he sees me again, he won't remember me. But that's ok. Because I will remember him. And I'll think about how if I was in his situation I would surely appreciate the random kindness of a passing stranger.

I know it wasn't much but I hope the chocolate chip cookie and Coke were as good as he remembered.