A Regular Customer

Yesterday morning, as I was cleaning the shelves along the center aisle of the store as usual,
“Good morning. It’s been a while,”
someone called out to me from behind.
I thought to myself that, having lived here in Kanto for only three years, I shouldn't have had any encounters significant enough to be greeted with “It’s been a while,” but when I turned around, a small, hunched-over elderly woman was standing there smiling.
It was a regular customer I hadn't seen for a while.
“Oh, good morning. Have you been well?”
I stopped what I was doing and spoke to her with a smile. Since she is quite petite, I naturally found myself bending down to talk to her.

Actually, as far as I know, this person has never once come to my specific sales floor. The reason I recognize her is that she was someone I always saw during the morning opening “standing duty” (the shift where we open the doors and greet customers as they arrive for the morning).
I would guess she is around eighty years old. She always has a beaming smile,
“Good morning!”
she says, returning the greeting in a loud, vibrant voice, which always leaves a strong impression.
To say it’s refreshing might be a cliché, but after she returns my greeting, I feel somehow invigorated, as if I’ve gained something.
There are many other regulars who greet me, but the reason I started to speak with her more closely was a small incident about a year ago.

This lady attends a gymnastics class for women on the third floor of our store. So, when she enters the store, she heads straight for the up escalator.
Since we bow during our standing duty, we inevitably end up looking at the customers' feet.
That day, as I bowed just like always, I noticed that the shoelace on her right foot was untied.
If she got on the escalator like that, it might get caught in the steps, which would be dangerous. I decided to call out to her.
However, this lady is incredibly fast. She walks at an unbelievably brisk pace. Usually, it’s easy to catch up to someone of her age by just walking, but this time I had to sprint almost at full speed.
The distance from the entrance to the escalator is very short, so I had to hurry to make it in time.
I finally caught up and called out to her.
“Ma'am! Your right shoelace is untied!!”

The customer, suddenly addressed by a store clerk, looked surprised and stopped, staring intently at her feet,
“Oh, you're right. That could have been dangerous. Thank you for kindly letting me know.”
She said, then bent down, neatly retied her shoelace, bowed with a smile, and walked off toward the escalator at her usual brisk pace.

It was such a small thing, but for some reason, this regular customer and I became close from that moment on. That’s not to say we had any special conversations; I don't even know her name, and we just exchange our usual morning greetings, but a feeling has grown between us—as if we understand each other, like neighbors who have known each other for a long time.
However, for the past few months, I suddenly stopped seeing her entirely.
She had been very healthy, but since she is likely around my parents' age, I found myself thinking rude things like, it wouldn't be strange if something had happened to her.

“I’ve had some things I need to take care of at home in the mornings lately. So I changed from the first class of the morning to the next one.”
Listening to her story, it seems her husband hasn't been doing well.
“I see. I was wondering what had happened. I’m worried about your husband.”
“Thank you. But you know, it can't be helped. It’s only natural that things happen as you get older. I’m able to keep coming here because so many people support me. I’m grateful.”
She said this with her usual smile.

There are many people of her age who seem to take pride in their suffering. They knit their brows, complaining about how their feet hurt or their back is sore, trying to elicit a “That must be hard” from the other person.
Since this is my job, I offer some polite sympathy, but if I hear too much of this “negative mode,” I secretly get tired of it.
But this lady has none of that. She always has a calm, natural smile.
And she has kept that one small act of kindness from a part-time clerk firmly in her heart, and she speaks to me with such easy familiarity.
I want to be like that.

“I’ve kept you from your work. I’m sorry. Well then, I’ll be going.”
The customer waved and headed toward the escalator.
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
I saw her off with a smile and bowed deeply.
I’ve been working at this store for about two and a half years, but I never imagined I would have such a wonderful encounter.
How blessed I am to meet such people. I am grateful.
Feeling strangely upbeat, I began to continue my morning cleaning.