Through the eyes of the stranger

I am a diner fanatic. It's one of the things I love best about living in New Jersey; you can't throw a stone in this state without hitting a diner. I don't care if it's breakfast, lunch or just a simple cup of coffee...I will meet you at a diner.

Yesterday evening my mom and I decided to go to one of the best diners around for dinner -- Pete's Diner on the Black Horse Pike in Williamstown. We were seated next to a booth with a Dad and his kids. The only thing I really noticed about the man was that he tapped on the table with his hand after the meal was done. It made me think he must be a smoker and was anxious to get the check so he could go outside and light up after his meal.

We finished up our food as the Dad and his brood left. Our waitress came to our table and told us that our check for dinner had been paid for by the man at the table next to us. My mom and I looked at each other in disbelief. The waitress said he didn't want us to know until they had left because he didn't want us to thank him.

Hours later I still couldn't believe it. What a great example of how a small act from a stranger can make a difference in someones life. And it did make a difference because both my mom and I were so touched by it.

My title is from The Seventh Stranger.