FREE LUNCH

The first day back at school, everyone is talking about all the amazing presents they got and all the cool vacations they took. I didn’t get any big presents or go anywhere fancy. But I’m OK with that. I don’t have to love it, but I don’t have to hate it either.

The first few classes drag by, but I’m excited for lunch, so Ethan and I can catch up. When I get in the lunch line, I know what’s going to happen. Rather than get mad or ashamed, I just try to own it. It’s not easy, but it is what it is.

When I get to the cashier, I don’t hurry her, or yell at her, or get annoyed or frustrated. I just say, “I’m in the Free Lunch Program. My name’s Rex Ogle.”

The old woman licks her fingers and thumbs through the pages in the red folder. For the first time, I see her nametag. I wonder if she’s always worn it. She probably has, and I feel a little bad about that. All those times I wanted her to memorize my name and I never bothered to learn hers. Her name is Peggy.

I ask, “How were your holidays, Peggy?”

She smiles. “Oh, they were lovely. Thanks for asking.”

Peggy pencils in a little checkmark in the red folder, and says, “Did you have a good New Year?”

I nod. I did. And I’m ready for my fresh start.