Linked In

Her unaffected chirpy greeting
and effusive welcome to each new
customer moving their shopping
cart to her checkout counter, an
exercise in blatant cheerfulness
grating doubtless to curmudgeonly
sensibilities has shoppers lift their
heads as though to view some exotic
bird, to see before them the sweet
face of a young woman, wide smile
wreathing her genuine features of
soft kindliness. No, she never tires
of offering these greetings, for,
she admits, though knowing how
much others detest this job, she
views it as an opportunity to 
meet people and lighten the burden
of their days despite the few who
glower truculently in response. That
is their way, not hers. Good nature
costs little she says, broadening
her smile, taking no effort, making
her own day worthwhile, leading to
pleasant little chats, she says, like ours.