"I don't want to deliver mail anymore."
"Why not? You've been in the business for so many years."
"Everyday on the same street there's this guy who stands next to his mailbox…just waiting for me."
"Well, maybe he's waiting for an important letter. If you give it one more week and he's still there, I'll move you to another position."
"No, he's not waiting for a letter. As soon as I pull up he asks me what the weather forecast is. It could be pouring rain, and he'd be standing there under an umbrella waiting for an answer. Oh, and he's always eating a sandwich. Just one slice of ham between two pieces of bread. He takes a bite then offers me some. I really don't know how to respond to this sort of situation."
"I suggest that you take his offering. I'll see you in a week."
The clear sky made it easy for the man to be seen before the mail carrier even turned her car onto his street. She stopped for a moment to gather up his mail, even rubber-banding it so maybe she could get away with dropping it on the ground. There's always the option to save his street for last…maybe he'll go inside before she comes back. Letting go of the brake she eased her way to the end of the road she was on and just as she was turning, he waved at her. She sighed deeply.
"What's the weather going to be like today, Miss?"
"Oh, it should stay clear and dry until tomorrow evening."
"That's swell. Would you like a bite of my sandwich?"
"…sure," she took a small bite off the corner.
"Thank you, Miss. It makes me feel so good inside that people still allow me to share what little I have with them. I just wanted to say what a good job you're doing. People don't appreciate their mail carriers enough. It can be dangerous what with all those crazies around." |
Submission Name: Postal
