I was in line at a liquor store on the North Fork of Long Island to purchase a bottle of local wine when the man in front of me bent over to take a small airline size bottle of liquor from the bin in front of the register.
“One dollar” said the cashier, “plus tax”.
The man put a dollar bill down and reached into his pocket searching to see whether he had the change to pay the nine cents tax.
Instinctively, I reached into my pocket — doubting whether I had any change and not knowing what I would do if I found some.
I heard his coins on the counter and realized that I would not be a participant in his purchase.
As I followed him out, I wondered about his life and what brought him to seek that little bottle. Was it choice or circumstance?