I was on a boardwalk near the Golden Gate bridge. I missed Boston, but loved being far from anything that reminded me of James. Though it was hot, a young woman near me was wearing bedazzled, bell-bottomed blue jeans, and a pink and purple feather boa. Youth, I shook my head. Suddenly, the heel of my shoe broke, sending me down, my purse emptying itself. That’s it! I’m going home! Before I knew it, I was weeping.

“Oh, you poor thing,” a sweet voice said, “let me help you.” I felt the boa brush my face as I watched her put my stuff back in my bag. She helped me stand. “There’s a good shoe repairer on Main,” she gestured. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, it’s just – that’s not even the worst thing to happen this week.” I took my purse from her. “Thank you.” I walked away.

“Who was that?” I heard a male behind me.

“A very sad creature,” she said thoughtfully. Indeed, I agreed. Then I heard absolute joy in her voice as she exclaimed, “Ooh! Coffee!”

Wish I could be that easily pleased, I thought.