Page 27 - LIfesOuttakes5

“I have 964 at home, and I found 11 more here,” I said, holding them up to show him. He looked at me for a long time, and finally turned his flashlight from shining in my face. “You will be able to see better if you let me hold my big flashlight for you.” With his help I eventually found another 19 labels. I still needed six more. When I finished, the old man swung his light around and commanded, “Come with me.” I followed him to his house. It looked like Christmas had skipped this little home. There was not a single Christmas decoration anywhere. He disappeared into the kitchen and came back with six cans of soup. He peeled off the labels and held them out to me. “Take these.” “But how will you remember what soup is in them?” He shrugged, “Doesn’t matter. Surprise soup is the best kind. Besides, at my age, they all taste the same.” 21