Took the two lads to the local almost fast food place for dinner two weeks ago. It was cold and the restaurant was almost deserted, just us eating our fries along with two older fellows. Mid-meal I did my usual recon around the place to see if any of my wife's relatives or my ex-girlfriends were on site, the latter which would possibly help determine which exit we used. Ninety-percent of the time that we eat at this place we see one of my wife's relatives, and as for ex-girlfriends ... My visual inspection confirmed that we were nearly alone in the restaurant but my gaze fell on one of the old fellows sitting alone in a booth by the window. He looked to be 65 or so, thin, and wore his jacket over his shoulders, not taking any chances with the heat. He did nothing to draw attention to himself, but it was difficult to look away. His face was like a dishrag and he had a nearly visible pall of sadness around him. He looked defeated. Each time a car went by or someone walked into th...