have you ever met a person who gives you her life's story absolutely without provocation?
yesterday, i was in line to buy groceries when the clerk asked me my name
richard, i said.
cherie, she said.  meeting my gaze at her name tag.
a lovely name, i told her.
it's from a song, she said.  my father loved that song.
mon cherie, i guessed.
my cherie amour, by stevie wonder.
ah.
he died, let's see.  about 19 . . .no 2005.  my dad had about 500 people at his funeral.
that's a lot, i answered.  that's like a small rock concert.
he was a very popular man, she replied.
sounds like one of a kind guy.
yep.  he was.  want your receipt?