"Let's walk to Parker's Deli," Cathy said. "There's always someone at Parker's."

     On their way, they passed a couple in their mid-twenties, Alison's age, their arms wrapped tight around each other.

     Alison threw on her warmest smile.

     "Hey!" she chirped. "How you two doing?"

     The two of them returned smiles every bit as warm and friendly.

     "Great!"

     "Can we talk to you for a second, please?"

     Their smiles never left their faces...

     yet they never stopped moving.

     "Enjoy your day!" they almost screamed, then all but ran from Abby and her family.

​CONTINUE