What happens when two people meet?  Nothing, if that meeting is just two strangers in a supermarket, chatting over the type of onions that are best for onion rings or the price of watermelon this week.  But when two people meet, finally seeing the future in each other’s eyes, it is serendipity.

Audrey was a young, single mother.  Her daughter, Kenna, was just a three-year-old blonde, blue eyed beauty when the two were abandoned by Kenna’s father.  There had never been a marriage- an apparently fortuitous decision made by the father just after learning that Audrey was expecting.  And when he left, Audrey finally realized that he’d always wanted a way out, just in case things didn’t work out.  A marriage certificate would only complicate matters, namely his other relationship with the sous chef from the restaurant he managed.

“Can’t blame the woman; she didn’t know,” Audrey thought to herself, more than once.  She blamed him.  But then, playing the Blame Game didn’t work either- she was where she was, and that was that.

It was at this- the most depressing and empty moment in her life that Audrey decided it was time for a change.  

At the lunch counter in the courthouse plaza, she stood in line for the most popular Mexican fare.  Her turn finally came and after placing her order, she fiddled in her purse for her wallet.  It wasn’t there.  She apologized to the cashier and continued to search the purse bottom, hoping in vain that the wallet was there.  She didn’t have change in any other pocket- she’d just cleaned it out the night before.

Just as she was about to turn and leave the line, a hand touched her on the shoulder. 

“I’ve got this,” said a deep voice from behind her.

Startled, she turned, ready to refuse the offer.  But as her eyes met those of the man whose voice had been so kind, she stopped.  The look was familiar somehow.  She was sure they’d never known each other, but this man was someone she felt comfortable with.  Several seconds had passed and she’d yet to reply, but his outstretched hand held enough money to pay for her lunch.

Quietly, she nodded her head in thanks.  He received his change and went back to his place in line, three places from hers.  She continued to look at him, her food on the tray, and as she passed, she continued to watch him.  For some unknown reason, she felt that he was important.