In my world, it only takes vanilla soft serve for me to feel happy, alive and connected to others.

I spent the day solo. After a busy week, it was a little strange to have an entire day alone. As much as I like being alone, I also love being around people.

So, by 6:30p.m. I was on edge. And because I had a massive craving for something specifically sweet, I left my apartment for the coolness of Dairy Queen.

They have a newish tasty delight called Peanut Butter Bash. It’s vanilla soft serve covered in a peanut butter sauce, chocolate sauce, and bits of chocolate. Oh it is quite good.

I got out of my car and walked to the door of the store.

“Hey do you have any change?”

I looked at the man asking me. He was probably in his mid 20s and looked a little bit like some of the Grateful Dead followers who would camp near the California state fair grounds each summer when the Dead were playing in town.

His hair was longish brown and pulled back in a messy and dirty pony tail. He was wearing stained cargo pants and a dark green tshirt. Twine bracelets twisted around his wrists.

He started telling me about wanting money for this, that, or the other. I became immediately aware that he was with two other guys around the same age and in the same type of clothing.

I had no change. I really didn’t. I started to tell them that and then I was hit by something akin to a lightning bolt.

I suddenly offered to buy them Dairy Queen.

I swear you would have thought I offered them a million dollars. Their faces lit up and they began chattering excitedly.

“Come in with me,” I gestured to the second fella.

He haltingly shuffled and followed me. The third one trailed after him.

I ordered my Peanut Butter Bash and looked at the nearest guy. “And for you guys?”

He was the sheepish and hesitant one. He ordered a Blizzard, but then said “in whatever size the lady says is ok.”

I smiled. “You can pick any size.”

“Uh ok. Smmmmaalll.”

“Anything else?” the Dairy Queen worker asked.

“A waffle cone.”

The worker asked him, “Chocolate dipped?”

“No. Plain.”

“Get three glasses of water,” the other guy added in a whisper.

“That’s 11.40,” said the worker and I handed over my credit card.

The Peanut Butter Bash came up first.

I sat on a chair at the small counter area.

The two guys clutched their treats and waters and with a quick look back at me said thank you.

I began eating my yummy delight.

A voice cut through the small restaurant.

“Did you buy those guys those things?” A woman working at the store asked me.

It was my turn to be sheepish. I replied yes.

“That was really nice of you.”

I looked away embarrassed.

I don’t have much money coming in these days, but I have a lot of blessings.

I don’t know where the three guys came from and I don’t know where they’re going.

But I do know all four of us are on the same road.