Real Nice of You

"Hey, how are you?" I greet the flustered barista. I never really say that but I feel like that's what she'd like to hear right now.

"I'm good, you?" Comes the wavering response.

"I'm good. Can I just get a hot chocolate? Trying to cut the caffeine lately, you know how it is."

That's absolutely not true, I just feel like chocolate today. I feel as though a little small talk might help.

Below the counter I slip a twenty out of the wallet, before sliding what's left across the counter to her.

"I found this after that, uh... Kind ol' lady left. Should I just leave it here for her to come back, or..?"

Something in her eyes flickers briefly, relief, pride, I can't tell.

"Yeah, just leave it on the counter. I'll keep an eye on it for her."

I grip my hot chocolate as it arrive and slip the twenty across the counter to her, bypassing the tip jar.

"That's really nice of you," I'd say.

I think she'd understand.