It was one of those forgettable afternoons—the kind that slips between errands and obligations without leaving a trace.

I’d stopped by the grocery store, tired and distracted, already thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list. Nothing about the moment felt special. At the self-checkout, I scanned my items, paid, and turned to leave.

I barely registered the woman behind me until she called out, holding up a small slip of paper. “Your receipt,” she said softly, smiling. I thanked her, tucked it into my bag, and walked away—unaware that her simple gesture carried something more.