You Look like a Kind Person

“I won’t stay for long,” she said.

“Please, stay as long as you’d like.”

Bev lives in the neighborhood surrounding Point Loma.

In her senior year of high school, she won an award for being known as a “Kind Girl.”

She always made sure a boy had his lunch. She broke up a fight between two girls.

I tell her I bet they all still remember her kindness.

Bev taught herself trigonometry. 

She was a mechanical engineer, and even helped build parts for the first space shuttle in Ohio. 

They flew her out there to see the final product before it launched.

I tell her that is very impressive and a great accomplishment.

Bev has a twin named Kimberly who lives in the desert. 

She could never understand why she would move out there, but she guesses it’s because it’s cheaper. 

They lead very different lifestyles, but the love is still there. 

I tell her I have a sister named Kimberly, also. 

I take off my sunglasses to see her more clearly. 

Bev takes off hers as well.

We both have green eyes.

Bev goes on two walks every day – one in the early evening, and one closer to sunset.

She likes seeing the sun at different times as it makes its descent to the water. 

She thinks it’s beautiful. 

I tell her I’m graduating in three months, and trying to soak this view in.

Bev and her husband of 31 years have a routine.

After her evening walk, she puts on Ugg boots and a comfortable bra and makes herself a drink while her husband makes the popcorn.

They get comfortable in their back room and watch game shows at 7.

I tell her that a kind of love like that is beautiful, and something I, myself, wish for one day.

She stands up to start walking back. 

“I wish I had something more interesting to tell you,” she said. 

“Do you want to hear about the furthest I’ve ever walked?”

I say everything so far has been very interesting. 

And yes, yes I would.

Bev walked from the Cabrillo Lighthouse to Mt. Soledad in La Jolla – 18 miles in total.

She was with her husband and his friends, who didn’t think a woman would be able to do it.

She proved them wrong. 

I tell her how incredible that distance is, and how amazing a memory.

Bev looks at me for a moment.

“You look like a kind person,” she said, her hand on my shoulder.

One simple gesture from a stranger makes me feel less alone. 

I tell her that she is a very kind person also.

“Thank you for talking to me for a while, Bev.”

“Take care.”

She pats my shoulder, and she walks away.