They're cute, the way girls that age are. Smiling and giggling together for no reason. Where do we lose that...that pure happiness, that spontaneity?

I remember those days. We laughed and smiled at the adults. We thought they had it all together. Times were simpler then...for us.

Now it's work, bills, and taxes. Lunch breaks are gripe sessions. Nobody's happy. Except Cheryl, and I don't understand. Her husband died in a car wreck last year. Single mom...toddler plus an autistic kindergartener. Such a handful. But she's always cheerful, and so's her lunch crowd.

Maybe I should join them for lunch.