Real Pretty Toast

On Christmas I had breakfast at CK’s 24-Hour Steak and Egg Kitchen in Memphis. It was decorated for the occasion with a Christmas tree in the corner. I heard a sweet voice talking to no one in the booth behind me and turned to see an old man sitting alone. He was on a cell phone and I realized this was his Christmas morning phone call with a loved one far away. He sounded so happy to talk to them. They wouldn’t be having Christmas dinner together; this was it; alone on a cell phone from CK’s. He would still make the most of it though. They must have asked what was on his plate. With love in his voice he said “scrambled eggs with bacon and hash-browns and some real pretty toast.” When I heard those words I started to cry. I never knew toast could be like that.