I used to work the late shift at the county hospital. Toward the end of my shift, I would sometimes go to the cafeteria for a snack.

Every time I was there, the same woman would come in for coffee. She never looked around or sat down — just leaned against the counter and sipped quietly. The cafeteria was a large, empty room, so I figured she thought she was alone. Although we’d often made eye contact in the hallway, we had never spoken. One night I decided to break the ice.

I stood up from the table and silently crossed the floor.

“Hey,” I said.

“Damn!” she said as she jumped up. Half her coffee splashed from her cup and spilled on her. She rested her hand on top of the cappuccino machine and faced me. She was small and frail next to my muscular six-foot... Read More