Mervin is an older gentleman,  probably 50s: balding with a bit of a ruddy complexion who lives in Belfast. He wore a blazer and a green sweater. (He looked a bit like Glenn Blake of the Writing Seminars department at Hopkins). We, the infamous we, were loitering around Carroll’s Souvenirs, waiting for Dominique to finish ringing up. I saw that Mervin was waiting for a teller to open up, despite the others being open and us blocking them. I moved, telling Mervin they were available, and apologized for loitering as an American. He said he could tell we were, but then asked me about our stay in Ireland and where I was from. He eventually told me that his girlfriend lives in Texas, that he has been over there several times, and that soon she will be coming over to Belfast. He wished me a wonderful trip, to have fun at the Hewitt Festival, and that “I hope that you find happiness here,” a very endearing wish. He then went to the register to pay for his umbrella. I went to check on Dominique, as she was trying to figure out what to buy to put her over 100 pounds and get a free item, she took none of my suggestions. She gave up on that, but before she could pay, Mervin stepped in and insisted that he pay for her. We were both shocked. His kindness made me feel his wish had a great deal of power behind it. After all of that, he left the store, forgetting to buy the umbrella. We passed him on the street again later, umbrella in his hand.

Thanks, Mervin.