George felt buoyant as he walked down the paved street and observed the stalls and the people. He felt something that was almost like normalcy... new normal, but still a welcome one. To see actual crowds of people talking, even laughing, to hear people singing, sometimes sweetly and sometimes raucously put a smile on his face. People pushed past him, looking thin and ragged, with faded and worn clothes, but with hope on their faces.
George shouldered his way up to one vendor, who had a ratty sheet thrown down and his wares arranged on it. There were random odds and ends, like George had seen at flea markets and yard sales. Some items of clothing, silverware, chipped coffee cups, some watches that would never work again. George reached down and picked up what he thought was an old pocket w
