Strange Encounters

I was at the airport, flying from London back to Lausanne, already in the boarding area. It had been a long day, and all I wanted was to sit down. The whole area was packed, except for one empty seat I spotted. I rushed toward it, only to bump into another woman heading for the same spot. We looked at each other. Normally, my instinct would be to offer her the seat and be the bigger person. But instead, I said to her with a smile,

"Let's do rock-paper-scissors."

She stared at me with confusion, and surprisingly went for it.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

Two adults, playing a children's game in the middle of a crowded airport.

I lost.

We both laughed. She sat. I ended up standing next to her while waiting to board.

I'm pretty sure she'll remember this moment forever, because I know I will. It was pure, unexpected joy.