Can I Pay for your Coffee?
	One afternoon after a movie, my friend, Patsi, and I stopped at Starbucks for coffee and muffins. She had gone up to the counter to get some napkins but before returning to our table she walked to the other end of the counter. There was a man there in an olive green uniform. Coveralls. There were a number of patches sewn on the shoulders and chest. He was just getting ready to pay for a cardboard carrier with four cups of coffee to go that was on the counter in front of him. Patsi approached him and said something. I could hear her but couldn't make out what she was saying. Knowing her, I knew what it was. Her husband had been in the service, Vietnam, and I was sure she was offering to pay for his coffee, which she did. I could hear her voice quivering. Her eyes welled up and she wiped them with her hand as she looked soulfully into his face. She hugged him and came back to our table. I said, "Why were you hugging that gas station attendant?" She said, "No, it was a soldier. I paid for his coffee and thanked him for his service." "I saw him say something to you. What was it?" She said, "When I asked if it was alright if I paid for his coffee, he just respectfully said, 'Yes ma'am' and was very polite." I told her to look at the patches on his coveralls and she did as he walked out the door carrying the tray of coffee. There was a patch with his name, crossed checkered flags, a Pennzoil patch, and a few other automotive-related patches. I'm sure when he got back to the filling station or pit he had an interesting story to tell his friends. I hope they realized that her heart was in the right place. It was pretty funny. Lash Out Loud