No Charge


She saw him for three minutes at most. They had barely said anything to each other, yet, she felt as if she had known him her whole life.

Earlier that morning, she had felt a presence at her cart. "Hello. How may I help-" she looked up "-you."

A lot of strange people had been to her cart before, but none of them were like him. She saw a little bit of black hair creeping out from underneath his straw hat, almost as if he was trying to grow it out. His eyes were the color of molten gold. She couldn't look away because they were so beautiful…and sad. Finally realizing why the other eye appeared to be squinting, she gasped inwardly when she saw the scar. Even so, he was still so handsome. His eyes told another story as well; a story of a longing to be loved and accepted.

He looked down and murmured, "How much for three apples and a flask of water?"

He was very thin as if he hadn't had a good meal for a very long time. She put the items in a bag and replied, "No charge."

He looked up and their eyes met for the second time. As if a door opened, emotions poured into his eyes: pain, sadness and confusion. Along with those came a look of overwhelming gratitude. "Thank you."

"No problem" she replied. As he walked away, she only wished that she could have done more.