Taking A Break

He leaned onto his knees with his elbows, a cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth. I turned up my jacket collar, a vain attempt to ward off the chilly east wind and made my way toward the gentleman. Curious, I paused to offer a greeting. He beat me to it with a wispy smile and said,"Hello." I returned the salutation. "Taking a break?" I asked. Pulling the cigarette from his mouth, he answered in a raspy tone, "Oh, everyone needs a break now and then." The red- and-white cap on his head looked lopsided. His beard appeared a grayish color, not the usual pristine white I had grown accustomed to seeing. I didn't notice a belly of any sort. "Yes, breaks are important," I answered. As I turned to head toward the store I spotted a cane perched against the bench he was sitting on. Inside the mall a short line of small children hovered outside the perimeter of a fenced Christmas tree. One adult glanced at her watch as she held onto the hand of a toddler with dark hair. I finished my shopping and exited the store the same way I entered. I couldn't help myself. Like a child leaving sugar cookies on the hearth, then checking the next morning for the evidence, I stepped toward Santa Land to make sure he made it back to his post. The line of eager children eased my mind and after hearing a few hearty chuckles I felt it safe to drive home. Later that day, an epiphany flooded my mind. If Santa needs to take a break, wouldn't it be the same for all of us? This new revelation caused my stomach to do cartwheels. Maybe I will practice this "break" thing during the holidays. Especially after baking sugar cookies.