Grabbing a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and a container of milk, Nikolai walked to the front counter and stood in line.  While an attractive young woman finished her transaction and placed her billfold into her purse, he couldn’t help but take notice at how easy it would be to snatch her purse and the contents within.  From the looks of the matching billfold and purse, she obviously had money, but with the high heels, tight revealing dress, and heavy application of makeup, she just might be the girlfriend of a sugar daddy and that could pay off big.

As she grabbed the sack of groceries and headed out the door, he watch the provocative sway of her hips and just shook his head and rolled he eyes as he thought Another time toots, another time.  As the old man in front of him stepped up to the counter, he listened to the confident and experienced tone of a man that had lived many lives.  With a raspy voice, he said “Give me a pack of Lucky Strikes…How about them Cubs and, oh yeah, how is you’re back feeling Charlie?” as he placed a newspaper on the counter.  The man appeared to be in his 80’s and was showing signs of rapid physical decline as his shoulders were hunched and he took measured short steps. 

As the two men talked back and forth, there was something about the old man that made him think of his grandfather and the last discussion he had with him before leaving for the US.  The talk had been in front of a roaring fire that was used in his homeland to keep the cold at bay on a chilly winter night.  His grandfather and he had shared a final vodka together as he was leaving for his month long journey to his proposed new home, Chicago, USA, the next day.  Nikolai had simply listened and tried to memorize every detail about the evening as he knew he would never see his grandfather again after that night.  His grandfather had rebuked him for writing home more often to his mother, even though he hadn’t left yet.  His grandfather had repeated the need to work hard and remain dedicated and loyal to his new family.  And his grandfather had even talked about how he had met his grandmother and how he hoped that Nikolai would have similar fortune.  These memories brought a small tear to his eye and a smile to his face.

Coming back to reality, he saw the old man shuffling toward the front door and slowly sliding an overstuffed billfold of money into his back pocket.  Taking notice, the old man had only slid the billfold partway down and this would be an easy grab for Nikolai.  He stepped up to the cashier and handed over the merchandise before turning to make note of the direction the old man was heading.  As he turned to the right, Nikolai handed cash to the clerk.  Once the clerk had completed the transaction and bagged the groceries, Nikolai quickly headed for the door and turned right.

Less than a half block ahead, the old man had stopped and had just finished lighting one of his Lucky Strikes, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air, before resuming his trek down the street.  With long, quiet strides, Nikolai was able to close the distance in only a few seconds.  As he approached, he slowed his pace to match the old man and spotted an alley which he knew from experience would give him a clean get away with limited exposure.

With luck on his side, just as the old man passed the alleyway, he began to cough, providing just the distraction that Nikolai needed.  With two quick strides and nimble hands from considerable practice, the billfold was cleanly pulled from the back pocket without being noticed.  Nikolai began to walk down the alleyway as the old man continued to cough.  Something was familiar about that cough.  Twenty strides away, Nikolai remembered why the cough was familiar and stopped in his tracks.  His grandfather had the same cough from smoking unfiltered cigarettes for his entire life.  The doctor had called them “nails in the coffin”, but his grandfather said he didn’t care and was too old to quit.  His grandfather always had a very pragmatic view of life.  And the thought of how that conversation had gone with the doctor brought another smile to Nikolai’s face.

Hearing the old man clear his throat and then spit something onto the ground, Nikolai turned to see the old man continue to shuffle down the street with no recognition that he had just been looted.  Irritated with himself, Nikolai knew what he needed to do in order to live with himself.  Walking quickly back down the alley, he turned to come up behind the old man.  Then he stated “Hey Gramps, you dropped something.”  As the old man turned, he sized up the intentions of Nikolai, figuring this was some type of ruse.  Glancing down and recognizing his own wallet, he continued to turn and extended an arm with palm up in a request for the wallet.

Putting on a large smile, Nikolai gladly handed over the wallet to the old man and said “Glad I showed up when I did.  Wrong person and this thing would have been gone”.  The old man continued to stare without saying a word for several seconds as he placed the billfold in the breast pocket of his jacket, then seemed to relax.

“Yes, son, I would say that I’m the lucky one here.  Would you mind walking with me for a while?”

The young and old lions walked down the street talking about letters to home, values of family, and the perfect woman.