You recognize the person at the door as your math teacher from fifth seventh grade. You say, “Hi, I’m in your neighborhood knocking on a few doors, Mr. Gus, and because you answered your door I have a great gift for you.”
“Jeff isn’t it? I thought you looked familiar. So, you are out here working, are you? I was just about to start me an egg or two for breakfast. You, hungry? I have plenty; I could use the company right now.”
You hesitate, and then you remember you didn’t take the time to grab a bite to eat before you headed out the door. You didn’t feel hungry at the time. This is your first day and your stomach was a bit agitated. But now you are ravenous.
“Thanks, Mr. Gus, I believe I will join you.”
You eat your eggs and toast, without bacon, and have juice and coffee to drink. Mr. Gus waits to talk with you until you are finished chewing your meal. Mr. Gus knows it’s not nice to interrupt others while they are enjoying a meal.
“You see, Jeff, my wife just died last month and I’m having a terrible time adjusting. I get so lonely to talk to someone. I find myself sleeping late and the house is going to ruin. I have no motivation. I enjoy just being with another human being like this. I hope you understand.”
“Oh, yes, sir, I do understand. I don’t know how I would react to the death of someone I loved, but I can imagine it would be pretty lonely and sad. You did the right thing by asking me in. I was wondering though if you have ever thought of going to the local community center. I know they have luncheons week days for a small fee and they help you have others to talk with. My grandma went with grandpa before he died. They seemed happy with it. Now my grandma goes every time she feels well enough.”
“Yes, I have thought about it but that is as far as it has ever gone.”
“My mom takes my grandma and gets her again when she is ready to come home. You are right on the way and within walking distance if you need encouragement to take that first step. If you are not ready to come home when Grandma is you can always stay and walk home later. How does that sound, Mr. Gus?”
“Yes, that sounds like something I might try. It would be better if I could go with someone the first couple of times. Sort of break the ice, you might say. I’m really glad you came in and had breakfast with me, young man. This has been very enlightening. Thanks.”
You decide to not mention the product because you don’t want to burden the teacher after learning about his misfortune of losing his wife. You grab your demo kit and head for the door. “Thanks so much for the nice breakfast,” you pat your tummy and say, “filling. Thanks again It has been nice.”
“You get a late start after that interruption, but you feel much better for having helped another individual in their struggle in life. You put on a nice grin and go next door and give a rap on their door hoping they also ask you in; this time you want a demo from them not a meal and a visit.”
A snotty nosed kid answers the door; a sloppily dressed women looking like the mom type, trailed right behind him. She toted a toddler on one hip and sprouted a cigarette from her puffy lips; the cigarette wasn’t lit. Her hair was up in a wrap but it had escaped its confinement enough so that you can see it’s a dull yellow red color.
You don’t mean to stare but can’t help it. You swallow hard and start to turn away saying you have a wrong address…
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