I want a burger

On one rainy afternoon last week, Erin & I walked in the rain to grab some lunch. We decided it would be best to walk to one of closer resturants, "Eat a Pita". It's one of those places that serves pretty much everything - burgers, wraps, salads, including any other greasy concoctions one may desire. I decided to settle for a simple grilled cheese. As we waited to our orders to arrive, a woman walked in. She was probably in her mid thirties, wearing a worn dirty yellow sweat shirt and grey sweat pants. Covering her head was a fleece hat, made of a purple and neon green geometric design, with a bright purple fur trim. She sat down on a table by the door. She seemed kinda loopy and not really with it. We grabbed our food and started walking. As I followed Erin out the door, we made eye contact.

"I want a burger."

I smiled and kept walking. I wasn't really sure if she was asking me for one or just stating that she felt like eating a burger. I kept thinking about our interaction more and more with each step away from Eat a Pita.

"Erin was she asking us to buy her a burger?"
"I don't know."

We stopped walking for a moment, and then turned around to buy the burger. She was right behind us, and her face lit up as soon we began walking towards her. She stopped me.

"I want a burger with everything," she said, "and some fries too."

By now I had decided that she was either mentally handicapped or really drunk or really high. I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't tell the difference. I ordered the burger, with everything. And then came the hard part.

At first, I just wanted to smile, say you're welcome, and walk out the door. Followed by instant guilt for not wanting to talk to her. When I turned around from the counter, I was met with eager eyes.

"They'll bring it out to you soon," I said. She smiled. The kind of smile you'd expect to see from a five year old in a candy shop. She motioned for me to sit down, I hesitated. Erin took a seat across from her. I was still standing, thinking of a way to tell her that I had to leave. Instead, I just stood there. She got up and offered me her seat, wiping the seat cover with her sleeve. At this point, I had not choice but to sit down.

We were there for no longer five minutes. Five long minutes.

"I like your hat," said Erin, "Where did you get it?"

"I found it!" she said, and there was that smile again. I just watched her as she told us about how she had found her hat in a dumpster, how she was looking forward to her burger, how she didn't like the rain.

The lady behind the counter announced our burger. I grabbed the basket from her and handed it to my new friend. She immediately flipped the top bun and said, "Where's the ketchup? They didn't put everything." Her voice trailing with dissapointment. It made me laugh. "There's some ketchup right here," I said pointing to the red bottle on the table. She laughed too as she squirted some on her bun.

"Well enjoy your burger!" I said, trying to sound as upbeat as possible. She nodded, her eyes unwilling to leave sight of her burger. As I headed for the door, she grabbed my hand, and hugged me.

Walking back to work, I wondered where she lived, where she ate, where she slept. I wondered if she had any family. I wondered how many times I had passed her by on the street without taking any notice.