Man With a Feather in His Cap

For years now, I've seen a man walking around town in a suit and wearing a feather in his cap. He is an older gentleman, who I believe lives in the Senior home next to my office building.

There has been some speculating between a co-worker and I about this finely dressed fellow. Is he a retired door to door salesman, still dressed to impress, carrying around the briefcase for old times sake? Was he a ladies man from Europe, wining and dining all the seniors at the senior center? I've wondered for years.

Then yesterday while stopped at a red light, a woman and her mother crossed the street in front of me, and the mother tripped over the curb, falling onto the sidewalk. I immediately began to roll down my window to ask if I could do something to help. But before I could even get a word out, the man with the feather in his cap came out of nowhere and swooped the woman back onto her feet in what felt like an instant.

Out of his pocket came a stethoscope. A stethoscope! With such care he nodded towards the daughter and then with both hands on the mothers arms, he smiled as if to say, all is well.

As quickly as he came, he left. Before my light had even turned green yet! As he passed in front of my car, he turned once to glance back, and continued on his way.

So - I still don't know his story. I laughed with my co-worker joking - maybe he's a pick-pocket! But really, maybe not. Now I have even more motivation then ever to stop next time I see him, and introduce myself. Perhaps he's one of those angels among us...