The Cookie at the Door

I had barely finished my tofu sandwich when they told me they were closing early.

Internal staff meeting.
Everyone had to go.

Honestly, I'd eaten it too quickly anyway.
I was hungry.

It had been one of those mornings.
Working from home.
Too many meetings.
No chance for breakfast.

Soil & Sand was supposed to be my reward. My new favorite lunch spot, just a short walk from home.

So as I headed for the door, past the baked goods counter, a thought crossed my mind.

They should give out a free treat to the folks they have to ask to leave.

And then, right as I was walking out, they handed me a free cookie.

It was like the person read my mind.

I don't know if it felt less exciting because I was kinda expecting it.
Or if it tasted more delicious because it validated what I was thinking they should do.

But I do know this.

Asking customers to leave is a small inconvenience.
A free cookie is a small gesture.

Small for them.
Not small for the person walking out the door.

That's the moment that sticks.
Not the closing early.
The cookie.

They asked me to leave, and yet I walked out happy.