Caitlin Clark Sees an Elderly Man Struggling to Pay for Groceries—What Her Does Next is Unforgettable
It was a rainy afternoon in Austin, Texas, when Caitlin Clark pulled her car into the parking lot of a local grocery store. She had just finished a long day of practice, and despite her usual need for privacy, Caitlin decided to stop at Wheatsville Co-op, a small community grocery store that always seemed to have the freshest produce. Caitlin, a rising star in women’s basketball, had learned to handle her fame, but there were days when she just wanted to be a regular person—no cameras, no interviews, just an ordinary grocery run.
Inside the store, Caitlin grabbed a basket and quickly filled it with a few essentials: fresh fruit, some sparkling water, and dark chocolate, her favorite treat. As she approached the checkout, she noticed it was unusually busy for a Tuesday evening. She chose the shortest line, hoping to avoid any unwanted attention, and stood behind an elderly man who was fumbling through his wallet. He was wearing a worn veteran’s cap, and his hands trembled slightly as he placed his items on the conveyor belt. It was clear that he wasn’t in a hurry; his pace was slow and methodical, as if he was carefully considering each item he picked up.
The cashier, a young woman with a friendly smile, greeted him warmly. “Good evening, Mr. Jenkins. How are you today?”
The elderly man, Mr. Jenkins, smiled back, though Caitlin could see the strain in his face. “Can’t complain, Maya. This rain’s making my old bones ache, but I’ve seen worse weather in my time.”
Caitlin watched quietly as Mr. Jenkins began to dig into his worn wallet. The cashier scanned his items—a loaf of bread, three cans of soup, a small carton of milk, and a prescription medication box. The total came to $43.87. Caitlin’s heart sank as she saw Mr. Jenkins’ face fall. He pulled out several crumpled bills, counted them, and then started digging into his coat pockets for coins.
“I thought I had enough,” Mr. Jenkins said quietly. “Let me check again.”
Caitlin could hear the growing impatience from the people behind them in line, but she didn’t mind the delay. She couldn’t help but notice the shaking in the elderly man’s hands as he tried to make up the difference.
“Mr. Jenkins, it’s okay,” the cashier, Maya, said softly. “How much do you have?”
Mr. Jenkins looked up at her, his face full of embarrassment. “I only have $32.46. I’ll have to put some things back.”
Maya was kind, patient. “What would you like me to remove?” she asked.
The elderly man studied his small collection of groceries. “Let’s take off the medicine. I can wait until my pension check comes in next week.”
Caitlin couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. Without hesitation, she stepped forward. “Sir,” she said softly, “please let me help with this.”
Mr. Jenkins looked at her, his eyes wide with surprise. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly.”
“I insist,” Caitlin said firmly but kindly. She handed her card to Maya. “Please add my items to his bill.”
Maya’s eyes widened slightly, recognizing Caitlin, but she remained professional. “Of course, ma’am,” she said as she processed the transaction.
As the transaction wrapped up, Mr. Jenkins turned to Caitlin, now realizing who had just helped him. “Wait a minute… you’re Caitlin Clark, right?” he said quietly.
Caitlin smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.”
The elderly man looked at her with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. “I appreciate your kindness, but I’m not looking for charity. I just miscalculated what I had this week.”
Caitlin smiled. “It’s not charity, just one person helping another. We all need a hand sometimes.”
Walter nodded, still looking slightly embarrassed, but Caitlin could see that her gesture had eased some of his discomfort.
Outside, the rain had intensified. Walter looked at the downpour with a sigh. “I was hoping it would let up. I’ve got a three-block walk to the bus stop.”
Caitlin glanced at the elderly man’s cane and the pouring rain. Without a second thought, she offered, “I have my car here. Let me drive you home.”
Walter hesitated for a moment. “You’ve already done enough,” he said.
“It’s pouring,” Caitlin replied. “Please, allow me.”
After a moment of hesitation, Walter nodded. “Thank you.”
They hurried through the rain, Caitlin shielding him with her umbrella as best as she could. When they reached her car, Walter’s eyes widened as he admired the interior. “My students used to talk about your cars all the time,” he said as Caitlin started the engine. “I taught high school science for over 40 years before retiring.”
“Where did you teach?” Caitlin asked as she pulled out of the parking lot.
“East Austin High. Physics and chemistry mostly,” Walter explained, directing Caitlin toward his neighborhood. “I always told my students that science could change the world.”
As they drove through the rainy streets, Caitlin found herself genuinely fascinated by Walter’s stories. His career as a teacher, his love for science, and his passion for inspiring young minds were clear in his voice. She could tell that Walter had touched many lives throughout his years of teaching.
Walter directed Caitlin to a modest, single-story home with peeling white paint and a small porch. “This has been home for 50 years,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Caitlin pulled into the driveway and helped him with his groceries. As they reached the front door, Walter turned to her. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? It’s the least I can offer.”
Caitlin glanced at her watch. She had a meeting to attend later, but something about Walter’s stories had caught her attention. “I’d love some coffee,” she said, making a decision that would change both their lives forever.
Inside, Walter’s house was modest but neat. Family photos lined the walls, and a bookshelf overstuffed with science textbooks stood in the corner of the living room. Walter shuffled to the kitchen, carefully putting away his groceries.
“Do you take anything in your coffee?” Walter called.
“Black is fine, thank you,” Caitlin replied, taking a seat.
When Walter returned with two mugs of steaming coffee, he settled into an armchair opposite Caitlin. “My late wife, Eleanor, always said, ‘I make coffee strong enough to wake the dead,’” he chuckled. “She preferred tea herself.”
Caitlin took a sip. The coffee was strong, but it was good. “How long were you married?” she asked.
“Fifty-four years,” Walter said softly, his face momentarily darkening. “Lost her to cancer three years ago.”
Caitlin nodded, understanding the weight of loss. “She must have been a special woman.”
“She was,” Walter said, a warm smile on his face as he reached for his wallet. He pulled out a worn photograph of his late wife and handed it to Caitlin. “She was a kindergarten teacher. We met at a school district conference in 1963. I was presenting on making science accessible to young minds, and she asked the most intelligent questions. I was smitten right away.”
Caitlin studied the photograph. “She has a wonderful smile,” she said.
Walter nodded. “That she did.”
As the conversation continued, Walter shared more about his career as a science teacher and his dedication to practical, hands-on learning. Caitlin listened intently, clearly moved by Walter’s lifelong commitment to education. He had spent decades teaching young minds to think critically, to approach problems creatively, and to never stop learning.
When the conversation shifted to Caitlin’s own basketball career, Walter’s eyes sparkled with interest. He asked her about her journey, her goals, and how she had made such a big impact on the sport in such a short time.
“You’ve made a name for yourself, Caitlin,” Walter said with admiration. “You’ve shown people that you can change the game—on and off the court.”
Caitlin smiled, but her eyes softened. “I’ve had a lot of help along the way. People like you, Walter, have inspired me to be better.”
As the evening drew to a close, Caitlin stood to leave. “Thank you for the coffee and the conversation, Walter,” she said, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for their unexpected meeting.
Walter smiled warmly. “It’s my pleasure, Caitlin. You’re welcome anytime.”
As Caitlin walked back to her car, she realized that this chance encounter had been more meaningful than she could have ever expected. Walter Jenkins, a retired science teacher, had inspired generations of students to reach for the stars. And now, Caitlin, with her influence and success, had become part of that legacy.
In the weeks that followed, Caitlin’s act of kindness in the grocery store became a symbol of the power of human connection. And for Walter, the elderly man who had been struggling to pay for his groceries, it was the start of a new chapter—a chapter filled with new friendships, new opportunities, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Caitlin Clark’s episode of David Letterman’s Netflix’s show is out. How to watch
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is the newest guest on David Letterman’s show, ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.’
Letterman, the former talk show host and Indianapolis native, hand picks his guests for each episode. Previous guests have included former President Barack Obama, Miley Cyrus, Charles Barkley, Kevin Durant, and Julia Lous-Dreyfus, among others.
Here’s what happened on Clark’s episode:
How to watch Caitlin Clark appear on David Letterman’s show
The episode premiered on Netflix on April 8. You will need a subscription to the streaming service to watch.
What do Caitlin Clark, David Letterman do on ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction?’
The episode starts out with Clark and Letterman heading to Long’s Bakery, a donut shop staple on the near west side of Indianapolis. As people inside the shop immediately recognize the pair, Letterman offers to pay for everybody’s orders. Fans take pictures with Clark and Letterman
It then shifts to the sit-down interview Clark and Letterman did on Ball State’s campus in Muncie, which was part of the school’s David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series.
The talk in November was open to those who could claim tickets, but they were required to put their phones in protective cases. Now, the talk is open to everyone around the world.
Clark walked out to raucous cheers and a standing ovation in the auditorium — something she’s gotten used to with constant sold-out crowds both home and away during the season.
After a few years of superstardom, it’s something she’s started to expect. But, looking back to her aspirations as a young kid, this kind of fame has exceeded her expectations.
“It’s not something you ever take for granted,” Clark told Letterman in their sit down at Ball State. “Getting to walk out here and people go crazy and are so excited about you, that’s pretty awesome, and it’s cool to see people wearing my jersey … but I don’t know if I ever imagined to be on this level.”
Throughout the discussion, Clark talked about how she first decided to attend Notre Dame, then changed her mind to stay close to home in Iowa, how her dad renovated a portion of the house to give her an indoor halfcourt in fifth grade.
She discussed her constant competition, whether it was against her brother, running from house to house on Halloween, or in daily practices with her Hawkeye teammates.
Caitlin Clark, David Letterman go bowling at Action Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square
The episode then shifts to Clark and Letterman at the Fountain Square Theatre Building in Indianapolis, going duckpin bowling. Clark had never gone duckpin bowling before, but it didn’t stop her from being her competitive self.
After Letterman knocked down seven pins in one roll, he turned to give a double high five to Clark. She returned it, begrudgingly.
“I sense that you were reluctant to do that,” Letterman quipped.
“You’re my opponent,” Clark replied matter-of-factly.
Caitlin Clark acknowledges her privilege within WNBA
Following the duckpin bowling, which Letterman declared he won, the two sat down at the inn to talk about Clark’s privilege in the league.
Letterman started the conversation by mentioning a lot of people said she was being targeted for reasons outside of her being a rookie, and Clark jumped in with, “Well, I don’t think I was being targeted.”
Letterman responded with: “Well, did other people think, ‘Oh, she’s being victimized because she’s white,’ because you’re from a different class of player economically.”
Clark, as a white player in a majority Black league, one that has started to become popular because of the efforts of Black women, knows the privilege she has.
“I definitely have privilege, I’m obviously white,” Clark said. “But I think I’m somebody that grew up a huge fan of this league. I grew up watching this league, going to games, supporting this league, so I know where this league comes from. A lot of Black women that grew up making this league what it is, and that’s the shoulders that we stand on. So I think that’s something I’m very aware of and something I’m thankful for. And they definitely deserve all the credit, and the more we can give credit to them, the better.”
David Letterman talks with Lisa Bluder in Iowa City
As part of the episode, Letterman traveled to Iowa City to meet with Lisa Bluder, Clark’s coach at Iowa for four seasons.
Clark was a two-time national player of the year at Iowa, leading her Hawkeyes to the NCAA championship game in her junior and senior seasons. She led the NCAA in points and assists her senior year, but, believe it or not, passing was not something that came naturally to her when she first started college.
When Clark first stepped on campus in 2020, Bluder and her staff had to convince her to consider passing to her teammates instead of taking over the game.
“Most of all, it was trusting her teammates, being able to pass to her teammates when they’re open instead of taking a hard shot,” Bluder said. “Being able to play with people and make them better as well as making herself better.”
It was, obviously, something Clark quickly excelled at. It quickly translated to the WNBA, as well, as she broke the league’s single-season assist record as a rookie.
And Bluder, knowing Clark’s work ethic, thinks she’s only going to get better.
“Anything that Caitlin does, she wants to be the best at it,” Bluder said. “I don’t care what you’re doing, playing ping pong or whatever.”
