Interacting Pleasantly, Behaving Heroically

 SO MUCH ACRIMONY  ENSUES  in the lives of so many people that I'm sure most of us welcome and indeed treasure a short conversation with anyone, including strangers, which goes well.  The other day I was standing in the corner at Arby's, waiting for my order, the two beef and cheddar sandwiches for six dollars, which I consider a pretty good deal. I was starving, the noon rush was on, and my stomach was making an impatient man of me.  A group of giggling teenaged girls was clustered at the drink machine, filling their cups to overflowing. One of them filled hers, pulled the cup away, but the red liquid kept coming out of the nozzle. The handle was stuck. "It won't stop!", she screamed, as if the building were collapsing, and I admired her penchant for stating to obvious, if not for problem solving. I took two steps jiggled the handle, and the flow stopped. "Thank you" she half mumbled, half giggled, turned, and was out the door, giggling with her friends. Standing next to me had been a young police officer in uniform. I turned to him, and asked: "Did you see my act of heroism?"  "I certainly did", he said. "Good move". He could have done the same thing, but thought perhaps that while on duty, in uniform, he might cause alarm, so didn't. Or, maybe, just maybe, he wanted to give the grey haired old civilian a chance to show his stuff. I appreciated his approving remark, and continued: "I love behaving well in front of a police officer". Also, if I'm not dreaming, I believe the young lady actually said "thank you'"... "She did indeed", said the young officer. "That renews my faith in humanity".  I agreed with him on that score as well, thought for a moment how difficult it must be for him and others of his profession to retain any faith in the rest of us at all, and was about to say so, when his order arrived, and he was quickly out the door, heading for his patrol car. A minute later they called my name, and I knew I was done talking, with anybody, for awhile. As I happily and fully finished my beef n cheddar melts, I noticed another officer, a pair of them, seated in a booth, munching. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and strolled over to where they sat. They both looked up, smile, and  I said: "I wanted to say this to the other young officer, but he left too soon. the fact is, I admire you and what  you do, but I do not envy you". They showed ready comprehension, and thanked me, and told me to have a good day.  I'm glad I didn't say something like "I'll have whatever kind of day I damned well choose", but instead, walked out the door, belly full of food, heart full of happiness.