The little girl nodded, accepting the disappointment without complaint. She leaned against her mom, offering comfort rather than demanding anything. As they stepped aside to wait, something about their quiet bond stayed with me. When my number was called, I picked up my food but didn’t leave. Instead, I returned to the counter and asked the cashier to add a Happy Meal to their order—anonymously.
I watched from my seat as the girl spotted the bright box. Her face lit up. “Mommy, look! They gave me a toy!” she exclaimed. Her mother smiled, though her eyes searched the room, puzzled. Their joy was small but genuine. And as I left, I felt lighter. A simple act—a toy, a meal, a brief moment of kindness—had made the world feel a little softer. Sometimes that’s all it takes.