Encounter with a Stranger

 While sitting outside the doctor’s office this morning an elderly tall black man came through the door and sat beside me. He had a small styrofoam cup in his hands which was dripping over with coffee. He was quite tall, had on a straw Fedora and what appeared to be children’s sunglasses.They were the kind with the bright neon chrome rims. He also had many missing teeth. He kept looking at me and began to chat. He was speaking in a very  low voice that was almost inaudible. He had asked me if I knew about horoscopes, which I thought was odd and I told him I was on the cusp and asked him what he was. He said “I am happiness.” I gave him a look and told him that was a good one. He then told me that I am also ‘Happiness’. He had also commented on my hair color and had said it shimmered like gold. I began to think this man was flirting or just didn’t know what his motive was. The nurse came out and asked him who he was here to see. He had said, “A nurse.” She asked him if it was her and he replied, “No.” She walked back in her office and he once again attempted to speak with me. I wanted to try to help him so I asked him who he was here to see again. He had no answer. I picked up a magazine trying to avoid further conversation with  him. The door finally opened as I was being called in by my doctor. As I walked by him his words to me were, “ You are happiness.” I just shrugged it off and went in for my appointment.

Emerging from the doctor’s office the stranger was nowhere in sight. I had asked some other people is they had seen him and all replies were the same. No one had seen him. 

Driving home from my appointment I had the strangest feeling come over me, It was one of total calm. This was a far cry from my emotions prior to my doctor appointment. I had to ask myself just who was this stranger? Was he there to cheer people up? Was he lonely and needed someone to talk to or was he what we would call an ‘Earth Angel’? Guess I’ll never know. But one thing I will remember is that my new horoscope sign is now “Happiness.”