text: I go into an immediate cold sweat when I see it. There, not more than 50 feet in front of me is a man holding the door open to the grocery store. His soft smile and kind eyes help this good-natured older gentleman give off the aura of a man who is just happy to help out other people in any which way he can, and right now, that help is coming in the form of holding the door open for me. Even at this distance, I can see him wink and nod his head in the safest and most inviting way possible. He's practically begging for me to walk through his open door. I gulp because I know at my normal walking speed, I'll be inconveniencing him. I hate disappointing people, especially a man like that who is glowing with kindness. I make some short lived eye contact and weakly wave, my hand not even reaching above shoulder level. He nods again with complete understanding and a sort of fatherly love. With those Skechers firmly rooted in the pavement and that vascular, strong forearm gripping the door with a strength and ease that makes me feel like a hug from him would be one of the most satisfying experiences in my life, he waits. I'm still an uncomfortable distance away, so I half heartedly jog. He waves me on, encouraging my effort. The parking lot seems to stretch on further than I realized, and I don't want to keep such a helpful gentleman waiting. I can't bear the burden of knowing that his time better spent shopping for groceries was wasted holding open a door, a door I am perfectly capable of opening myself, on such a pathetic loser like me. I jog harder, but my legs feel heavy and I just can't seem to make any forward progress. The beating sun is torturous as it burns and mocks my attempt at hurrying. The man waves on harder as if he were the third base coach and I, a kid on his little league team, was scared and confused as to what to do as I round the bases. The trust in his eyes pierces my very soul. I can't let him down. I'm running now, harder than I have in a long time, trying to reach that door, that open door leading to a world of cool air and satisfaction, but I can't. The expanse stretches on further and further like an unforgiving desert of asphalt. The other cars are gone, the lines for parking are gone, the buildings, the trees, everything but the grocery store and the kindly man are gone. The sky is infinite blue oblivion with the harsh, unforgiving sun domineering over all. I'm pushing my body as hard as I can now, not knowing what else I can do. I'm afraid if I look behind me, everything I've ever known will be gone. My legs strain and my feet ache. My lungs burn as they struggle to take in the oxygen my muscles and heart are screaming for. This grocery store is my sanctuary now and this man, this benevolent man, my savior. I'm running from the abyss, running from everything that has ever been, everything I ever was. Onward I stride, my hands cutting through the thick, hot air. My face and shoulders blister as the sun does its best to destroy me. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end as the eerie feeling of being chased consumes me. This sprinting is that of survival like the frightened gallop of a chased gazelle. The pumping of my stressed heart can be felt in my ears. I stumble and fall. The searing asphalt scrapes and burns my skin. I'm scared for my life now. Despite my best efforts, I'm still so far away. I shut my eyes tightly as this impending doom approaches from behind. My only option is to surrender to the abyss, lose my body and soul to whatever cosmic power has cursed me into this existence. Tears stream down my cheeks and evaporate on the parking lot pavement. Behind me in the searing oblivion are the screams of billions of souls from billions of worlds, formless, anguished, eternal suffering in an ephemeral state. Then the drone starts, a deep, sonorous hum. It looms over the atmosphere, drowning out the cosmic torment, until it becomes so oppressive that I feel it in my bones. They twist and turn, writhing in the hot agony of my melting flesh. I am just about to add my screams to the rest. Then I hear him. "C'mon, son! I've got the door open for ya!" His powerful voice rings out like church bells, a beacon for my panicked soul. There he is, through the blur of radiating heat, I see him. His golden arm still stalwart in holding open that door to safety. He's waving me in. He's smiling. He believes in me. I get back up, inspired now. The heat fades. My body cools. That terrible drone leaves my body. I have strength again. My legs carry me faster than any speed I have ever known. The wind rips my shirt apart like tissue paper as I glide across the lot. The expanse is closing now, however slightly, but it is closing. I'm doing it. I feel the man's confidence in me give me strength. My shoes fly off. There's no need for such earthly luxuries now. The raw human spirit coursing through me is all I need. I will make it. The gap between the abyss and the door is shrinking. My body is like a divine engine. Closer and closer. Harder and harder. Faster and faster. I am not a boy anymore. I've ascended to something far greater. So close now. The background is beginning to return, the cars, the trees, the people, the world. Finally, I reach the door, the kind man, the beautiful figure and savior who rescued my soul from oblivion. I hug him with tear filled eyes and thank him so much for everything he's done. He's made me a far better person. My fears and anxieties, my self doubt and self loathing, everything holding me back - they're gone, and he's to thank. Within my tight embrace, I tell him how much I appreciate him holding the door for me. He replies, "No problem.