While waiting in line at the post office yesterday, the distinctive banter of relaxation beyond boredom danced in my ears.

“Hey Bernie,” a young woman, the only person working the front counter, called to her coworker in the back sorting mail. “Would you get me something to drink?”

The query caught me off guard. Still, her voice sharpened my awareness, her raw authenticity radiating in emotional turmoil.

“Come on, Bernie. It will take five minutes, please?” she continued in a soothing v...