Encounter

Back in the day, in the era when it was possible to find independent, owner-managed shops in my town, I took my electronic woes to  a reliable, personable computer genius a mile or two from my home. A few years ago, sadly, due to takeover by megabox stores, he needed to reconfigure his business plan and move on. As I discovered yesterday, it was a bit like the difference between having a nice conversation with a friend over a cup of tea, and a meal in a packed and noisy airport food court. That’s because I was in the Natick Mall, searching all the highways and byways, looking for the Apple Store. Just to be clear, walking into a mall is, for me, like stepping into Dante’s Inferno.  Except worse.

My computer was long overdue for an overhaul and I knew I couldn’t put it off much longer. So, taking a deep breath, I approached one of the store entrances where two young people waited to check me in. In a nutshell, the exchange went like this: “Hmm,I don’t see you on my list.” “It’s Man with one “n”. “Are you sure you registered?” “Yes, I have it on my phone here.” “What’s your name, your phone number again?” and so on. Continuing to look only at his phone, the young man did eventually find it. But no, I couldn’t see anyone for repair because the system had me under “shopping.” I tried to explain that I might need to buy a new one if mine couldn’t be repaired. “Oh, in that case, you should have signed up with Genius (or something like that.)” “Okay, could I see  that person now?” “No, it can only be one or the other, and you’ll have to make a separate appointment on another day and no, it can’t be today…”

Now, to a young man not long out of school, I suspect, I was simply a hopeless old lady. He made it very clear; he wished I would move on. At the same time, his attitude convinced me that I would never darken his doorway again. In our 10 to 15 minute encounter, he never made eye contact, not once did he smile. Nor look up from his phone. His companion greeter was doing her best to help me, but Mr. Grim was in charge.

Not getting anywhere and becoming more frustrated and annoyed the longer I stood there, I cancelled everything and left in a foul mood. Griping and grumbling my way out of the convoluted consumer jungle, I passed by one of the small pop-up carts that line the corridors.  A young vendor spoke: “Ma-am, I love your jacket and your sunglasses are gorgeous!” Smiling, I responded, “And I love your jewelry!” then walked on. A dozen or so paces on, still smiling, I stopped. Everything within me told me I needed to thank him. I turned back.

“I just want to let you know that you have made my day.” I told him about my misadventure and how I had been treated and that his remarks had restored my faith in human kindness. “I’m Polly”, I said, and shook his hand.

“Thank you, Polly, I’m Angel.”     Angel?! !           ANGEL!

You could not make this up!  My mall angel!

Once again, I learn. There are miracles waiting to happen when I pay attention to my heart’s promptings.

Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.    -Hebrews 13:2