Knights in Shining Armor

Let's just say that it started out as a good day, and things just went downhill from there.

It was one of those days where you aren't sure why everything's going wrong or you're feeling so insecure, and you can't pinpoint the cause of it all, but nothing is right.  I felt claustrophobic with worry and pressure, and yet extremely, oddly exposed--like everyone in the world was watching and no one approved.

Walking into the college cafeteria/dining hall wasn't any different.  In fact, I felt even more exposed.  I was coming late, so I knew I'd have no one to sit with, and would yet again be the awkward loner, staring at the empty seat on the other side of the booth.

Then, as I was leaning to reach a plate of french toast, my tray tipped, upending the pasta it held and shattering it all over the floor.

There was silence in the cafeteria, and as I looked at the mess in shock and dismay, the boys at the nearest few tables started laughing and clapping at my shame.  It was the straw that broke the camel's back.  I held back tears as I flagged down a cafeteria worker to clean up the food and broken glass, then made for a quick escape, feeling as broken as the dishes.

As I passed one table, though, I saw that the boys sitting there were giving me sympathetic looks.  One of them had stood up and was making sure the mess had been taken care of.  I don't know why that meant so much to me, but it did.  Then, as I searched for an empty booth, biting my lip to hold back the tears in my eyes, my home teacher passed by, gave a friendly hello, and patted my arm understandingly.

While most of the boys in that cafeteria laughed at my embarrassment and went on with their lives, a few stopped what they were doing and came to the aid of a lady in distress.  And I can never tell them how much it meant.

May the real gentlemen in this world get the blessings they deserve.