Losing Maggie
Just after Bernard had turned 89, his wife Maggie had died from a stroke. They had been high school sweethearts, together for more than 70 years and Bernard felt utterly lost without her. Their only daughter Nancy lived far away in Australia and couldn’t stay for long after the funeral, leaving Bernard alone in the house.
Although he missed her every single day, he knew Maggie wouldn’t have wanted him to waste away in her absence so he kept on going, heading to work each day, keeping the house in order, and seeing friends. Little did he know, that was all about to change.
Supermarket Cashier
The supermarket where Bernard worked was small and friendly with regulars who came in almost every day. After 23 years there, Bernard knew them all by name. He worked as a cashier, scanning groceries for eight hours a day.
He enjoyed the hustle and bustle of supermarket work and the variety of seeing what each customer had put in their basket that day. He was careful and diligent, never overcharging people and always making sure they got the best deal. Even though he was 93, he had no plans to retire. However, things weren’t always easy for Bernard.
Little Slow
These days, Bernard was a little slower than he used to be. The supermarket had installed a new touchscreen scanning system and he hadn’t quite got to grips with it. His hands were shaky and sometimes he had to pass something two or three times across the scanner before it registered.
Bernard knew he sometimes slowed things down and he didn’t like feeling like a burden. He was determined to keep trying his best and show the young folks that there was life in him yet. He didn’t realize that his manager had very different ideas about what was best for him.
Beloved By All
Despite his slow pace of work, Bernard was the most beloved cashier in the supermarket and customers didn’t mind waiting a little longer to be served by him. He always offered a friendly greeting, remembered little details about each person, and enquired about their families.
He’d commend them on their choice of peaches or tomatoes, offer gardening tips, and always wave them off with a cheery smile. Being served by Bernard brightened everyone’s day, even if it took a little longer. However, an unexpected change was quietly brewing beneath the surface of this everyday cheer.
All He Had
Bernard knew people enjoyed seeing him at the supermarket and since Maggie had passed away, it was the one spark of joy left in his life. It meant he got to have some human interaction which helped to alleviate his loneliness.
If he couldn’t go to work, he knew he would spend his days at home by himself, with only the television for company. Sure, he could meet some old buddies at a diner once a week or go to the senior center on Fridays, but it wasn’t the same as working at the supermarket and being a valued member of society. He hoped he could continue working until he finally joined Maggie. But one day was about to change everything.
Ready to Work
One cold morning, Bernard got ready for work as usual. He combed his hair with water and put on a sweater and slacks and then proudly pinned his name badge to his chest. Maggie had always liked him to look smart and he wasn’t about to let her down even though she wasn’t here to check he was presentable.
He walked the three blocks to the supermarket, nodding at the locals he recognized as customers as he went. It was a regular morning just like any other, at least that’s what Bernard thought.
Manager’s Office
However, once Bernard arrived at the supermarket and was about to punch in with his timecard, his manager approached him. Relatively new to the job, the manager of the supermarket was a man in his thirties called Andy Abrams who had a lot of ideas about how to modernize the supermarket.
Bernard tried hard to get along with him, but he worried that Andy saw him as a deadweight. “Could you come and see me in my office once you’ve hung your coat up, Mr. Thompson?” Andy asked in a falsely cheery voice. Bernard could see he looked nervous beneath his smile.
Filled With Dread
Bernard headed to the staff cloakroom, his heart filled with dread. He had never been called into the manager’s office before and he couldn’t imagine it could be for any good reason. He’d tried hard to speed things up whenever Andy was watching him, but he knew the young man had noticed his shaky hands and struggle to master the new system.
He trudged towards the office, his heart pounding. Perhaps Andy was going to give him a telling-off. He didn’t dare think about the other possibility.
Budget Cuts
“Come in and sit down, Mr. Thompson,” Andy said after Bernard knocked timidly on the door. Bernard did as he was told, still feeling very nervous. “Right, let’s get straight into it then. As you know, I’ve been doing my best to make the supermarket more profitable and as such, I’m having to make some budget cuts,” he began.
“You are well over the usual age of retirement at this workplace and I feel it’s my job to make sure you enjoy your golden years, Mr. Thompson. We’ve decided to let you go, I hope you understand the decision,” he finished somberly. His words were like a knife to the heart.
Walk of Shame
Bernard tried to protest, even offering to work for free, but Andy was firm, insisting that he was only doing what was best for Bernard and what was best for the store. Bernard left the office, his heart heavy.
He walked through the store, feeling his colleagues’ pitying glances piercing him. There were a few colleagues who even had a twinkle in their eyes, as though gleeful to see him sunk so low. Even his friend Lou seemed to be suppressing a smile. He’d never felt so ashamed in all his life.
Heading Home
Andy had offered for Bernard to stay for the rest of the day, but he couldn’t bear to be there a moment longer. He had called the supermarket home for almost 25 years and now he was being unceremoniously let go because of “budget cuts”. He knew the real reason was his age and Andy just didn’t want to admit it.
The three blocks to his home which earlier had felt like a breeze now felt like a marathon. When people waved or nodded to him this time, he hung his head. He knew that all that awaited him at home was loneliness.
Feeling Devastated
Once home, Bernard sank creakily into his chair and let out a deep sigh. He was embarrassed at how devastated he felt inside. He was a farming man—how could a silly job in a supermarket have meant so much to him? But it had been so much more than a job.
He picked up the phone to call his friend and then put it down again. He didn’t want anyone to see him while he was in such a state. He sat in the chair for hours, not even getting up to fix some food or close the curtains when night started to fall.
No Meaning
Gradually, Bernard became overwhelmed by a deep sense of emptiness. The only sound was the low hum of the refrigerator, a lonely reminder of the quiet that had replaced the warmth and laughter Maggie used to bring. He stared at the TV, its flickering light barely comforting against the hollow feeling inside him.
The ticking clock seemed to highlight his stillness, making the house feel even colder and emptier. Bernard struggled to find any purpose in the silence that enveloped him—without his work and without Maggie, who was he? What was he going to do now?
Turning to Maggie
However, as Bernard’s eyes roved sadly around the room, they came to rest on a photo of Maggie on the mantlepiece. It had been taken when she was in her 70s, still full of life, with her huge smile and sparkling eyes. As he stared, the Maggie in the photo seemed to move, turning to look him straight in the eye.
“What shall I do, Mags?” he asked her desperately. In Bernard’s mind, Maggie’s reply was warm and reassuring. “Bernie, you’ve always had the strength to face whatever comes your way. Keep going, find joy in the little things, and remember that your heart still has so much to give.” When Bernard awoke the next morning, Maggie’s words had worked their magic.
The Next Morning
He still felt low, but the crushing weight that had landed on his chest after his meeting with Andy had lifted somewhat. Yes, he didn’t have a job anymore, but that didn’t mean he was going to wither away at home.
He was a well-liked man in the community and his customers would miss their little chats with him, he was sure of it. Perhaps Andy would even face a backlash for firing him. With Maggie’s love held close, he knew he could carry on. And he knew exactly what he was going to do first.
Head Held High
Bernard got ready to head out. He didn’t pin his name badge onto his chest, but he still dressed with care and pride. He needed to buy groceries and he wasn’t going to slink around, avoiding his former workplace. He would go straight into the store with his head held high.
As he walked, he felt his step getting lighter. Perhaps it might even be fun not to have to work every day. He was 93 after all—maybe it was time to take a little break. As he arrived, the sliding doors to the supermarket swung apart and he strode in as steadily as he could.
Buying Groceries
As they caught sight of him, Bernard’s colleagues looked concerned. He guessed they were ashamed of their insensitive reactions yesterday and weren’t expecting to see him back so soon. Some of them even started whispering to each other.
As he started down the first aisle, squinting at his scrawled grocery list, his friend Lou approached him. “Bernie, hon, what are you doing here? We all thought you wouldn’t be in today—,” she started to say, but Bernard interrupted her. “I’m back, Lou. I’m not going to hide, I worked here for more than two decades and I deserve some respect,” he said proudly. Lou was about to reply when Bernard caught sight of someone else.
Manager’s Reaction
At the back of the store, coming out of the staff area, Bernard spotted Andy the manager bustling around, looking harried. To Bernard’s satisfaction, when Andy saw him, his face turned pale. He looked as though he’d seen a ghost.
Bernard gave him a dark look and then turned back to the shelves, picking out a few packets of his favorite cookies. Maggie had liked them too he thought fondly. However, all of a sudden, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Loyal Employee
“Mr. Thompson?” Andy said, appearing next to Bernard. The 93-year-old drew himself up to his full height, took a deep breath, and got ready to tell his young ex-manager what he thought of him.
However, Andy cut across him. “Mr. Thompson, you were our most loyal employee, we loved having you work here,” the manager stuttered, realizing he needed to explain himself. Bernard was confused. If they had valued his loyalty so much then why had they let him go without so much as a warning?
Spoiling the Surprise
Andy was looking shifty and Bernard noticed that most of the supermarket employees were pretending to look busy, but watching the exchange out of the corners of their eyes. Like yesterday, some of them even looked gleeful or excited.
Andy sighed. “Listen, Mr. Thompson, we didn’t expect you in today. It was supposed to be a surprise, but I guess it’s ruined anyway so you may as well know,” he explained. Bernard felt more confused than ever. “Can someone please explain to me what the heck is going on?” he said gruffly.
Someone Unexpected
Andy opened his mouth to speak when suddenly, a new customer walked into the store, making the little bell tinkle. Involuntarily, Bernard turned his head, looking to see which of his locals had come in.
When he saw who it was, his heart gave a jump. He started mouthing wordlessly, unable to speak, and Andy patted him on the shoulder. His other colleagues were watching him and smiling. This explained all their strange behavior yesterday. Lou wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. How could they have pulled this off?
The Reunion
The person who had walked into the supermarket was Bernard and Maggie’s daughter Nancy. Nancy had lived in Australia for more than 30 years and since Maggie’s death, Bernard had found it hard to keep in contact with her.
Now she was here, walking steadily towards him, a broad grin on her tanned face and tears in her eyes. “Hi Dad,” she said happily, enveloping him in a big hug. Although she was already well into her 60s, Nancy seemed young and strong. Bernard held onto his daughter. He was overwhelmed, but this time it was for a good reason.
Revealing the Truth
After they had let go of one another, Bernard turned to Andy. “How did this happen?” he asked, his mind reeling. Andy smiled sheepishly, glancing at Nancy before turning back to Bernard. “We knew you’d never quit, Mr. Thompson. You’ve been a loyal employee for years, but you’ve earned time to rest. We just wanted to give you a push,” he began.
Bernard looked at him, still confused. “Once we realized how much you missed your daughter, we contacted Nancy. We thought the best way to get you to slow down and enjoy life was to give you time with her,” he continued. Nancy squeezed Bernard’s hand. “It’s time to focus on family, Dad,” she said.
First Class Tickets
Andy smiled and nodded toward Lou, who held up an envelope. “We didn’t stop with Nancy. Your customers, the whole community—they wanted to do something special. So, we all chipped in and bought you and Nancy first-class tickets back to Australia.” Bernard’s mouth fell open.
“You’ll finally get to meet your grandchildren and great-grandchildren in person,” Lou added, placing the envelope in his trembling hands. Bernard stared at it, stunned. “First class? For me?” he asked. Andy nodded. “You’ve given so much to this store, Bernard. Now it’s our turn to give something back to you.”
The Applause
Bernard was too overcome with gratitude to notice that the whole supermarket had fallen silent and had listened to every word. Now that Andy’s speech was over, all the customers and staff burst into applause. Bernard looked around and saw that it was all for him. Andy and Lou started clapping as well and so did Nancy.
He felt Maggie there next to him, his heart swelling with pride. For a whole 24 hours, he’d felt his life crumbling around him all over again. Now it turned out that big changes were on the horizon, but they were better changes than he could ever have imagined.
Heading to Australia
Just a couple of weeks later, Bernard and Nancy were on a flight bound for Sydney, Australia. Bernard had barely been on a plane before, let alone sat in first class and they were both enjoying the luxurious accommodations.
Bernard squeezed his daughter’s hand and smiled to himself. If only Maggie could see him now. They hadn’t been too adventurous when she was alive, preferring to stick to their routine, but now here he was, jetting off to Australia. He knew she would be thrilled.
Golden Years
In Australia, Bernard found himself surrounded by the laughter and warmth he’d been missing. He spent sunny afternoons in the garden with his grandchildren, sharing stories of his life back in Nebraska. His great-grandchildren climbed onto his lap, eager to hear more, their bright faces lighting up as they listened to his gentle Midwestern lilt.
Nancy showed him around her home, and they cooked together just like he and Maggie used to. On weekends, they visited the beach, where Bernard dipped his toes in the ocean for the first time. These were his golden years—filled with family, love, and the joy he thought he’d lost forever.
Looking to the Future
When Bernard lost his wife, Maggie, he thought the only thing left worth living for was his work as a cashier at the local supermarket. After he was unexpectedly let go, he felt empty and worthless. It wasn’t until he headed back the next day that he discovered everything was not as it seemed and the redundancy was part of a wider plan to reunite him with his daughter and bring him joy.
We’re so glad that Bernard’s community clubbed together to help him open a fresh chapter filled with love and laughter, proving that even in our twilight years, life can surprise us with new beginnings.
