"Where was the cashier (收银员)?" I wondered. Feeling1 with having waited at the counter ( 柜 台 ) for at least 3 minutes, I quickly looked at my watch. I was afraid I2 had enough time to eat a sandwich and then rushed back to work.
When I looked around the nearly empty3 , I saw a woman cleaning a table in the corner. She looked at me coldly with sad, dark eyes.
I felt so angry that I was almost out of4 . Suddenly I remembered Mom's words. "5 you find yourself in an unpleasant situation, just think about what is missing. If someone is6 , then kindness is missing. If someone is hateful, then 7 is missing. If we will do what's missing, then we will provide whatever the situation needs."
And here I was in an unpleasant situation.8 should I do "what's missing"? What was missing was service. Should I just jump behind the counter to take the food I would order?
Just then the woman walked slowly towards me. "May I help you?" she asked, still 9 .
She looked so tired.10 , she was overworked.
I took a deep breath. With Mom's words still ringing in my11 , I gave the woman my order and smiled. "How are you doing today?"
My question seemed to 12 her. She looked at me for a second before answering. "Not too good."
"I'm sorry," I said, "I hope it gets better from right now."
She almost smiled as she handed me the food. "Thanks. I hope you're right."
I thought to 13 as I ate my sandwich. We're the same, really. We have problems and angers, we get tired and we hurt. We need to be14 to each other.
After eating, I cleaned the table cleaner than usual, and put the tray (托盘) back nicely on the stand. The woman was watching me all the time, with a big smile on her face.
"Do what's missing." What mum said really15 .I smiled back to her, too.
