he shuffles down the neutral, dimly-lit hallway in small steps and watches the carpet pattern move slowly toward him. i see him swaying toward us as i touch base with the rn after the patients wrap-up group and give him a smile. he passes by, lifts his eyes to the hem of my skirt and bends his wrist ever so slightly to point at it.
"i like those skirts. they're pretty."
and his eyes move to mine, and the compliment becomes a connection.
"thank you."
he nods, re-focuses on the carpet and continues to shuffle methodically toward the tv room.
it was one of the simplest, most meaningful compliments i've ever gotten.
because it wasn't about my skirt, it wasn't about whether he liked my skirt or not, although that was the occasion. it was about him opening the door to conversation, you know? it was his way of saying "welcome."
i'm pretty sure i bounced down the hallway after that.
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