Rob did hair when we first got married. We didn’t really make enough money to pay our bills but with the help of family, we were okay.
One of the things we did back then was buy supper with Rob’s daily tips. Rob would stop at the store and buy bread, milk, soda, tuna, chopped meat, or coldcuts.
Neither of us really cooked so there were plenty of to-go or delivered meals as well. We had pizza, occasional Chinese, or fish and fries from a place called Jean’s Beans. Not sure why it was named that, but it was a popular place with good fish.
One of the regular places we ordered from was Chicken Delight. Perfectly spiced fried chicken pieces in a bucket, with a side of warm rolls with butter was our usual. I don’t remember if we ever ate vegetables or salad. I’m lying. I remember. We didn’t.
It’s pouring outside. Sometimes when it’s really dark and the sky opens up, I think of Chicken Delight. One windy, rainy night we phoned in our order. We were a bit apprehensive thinking delivery service might be canceled because of the weather. And were pleasantly surprised when it wasn’t. A short time later, the weather went from bad to worse. It was a full-blown storm with brilliant lightning and pounding thunder. Rain pelted the windows. We expected a call canceling our order, when there was a frantic knock on the door. The drenched young man on the other side looked shell shocked. We apologized. He was shivering and said, “That’s okay. You’re my last delivery. I’m going home.”
We never had much money, but we gave him a big tip.
In hindsight, we should’ve invited him in. After all, he risked his safety to bring our dinner.
We ordered often from Chicken Delight.
We never saw him again.