I brought a pizza order to a senior

She observed me for a moment, then eased up. Her eyes fell to my employee badge.

“Alright,” she murmured, “I appreciate it, Toby.”

I gave a nod and placed the food carton onto her lap. She flipped it open, shut her eyelids, and beamed as the heat drifted up toward her cheeks.

Observing her soak in the heat radiating from a simple pie struck me deeper than anything else that evening.

I remained standing there for another moment, feeling completely helpless.