True friendship can span decades, no matter the distance in miles between two people.
Friendship that goes beyond simple words can sometimes be found in an act of love, and a meatball sandwich.
June Linscot, 81, was on the phone recently with her lifelong friend Billie Polkosnik, who is 80 years old and lives in Pahrump.
Linscot, who lives 2,500 miles away in Fort Myers, Florida, could tell her friend was not doing well.
The type of internal feeling that builds up between two people who have been best friends since they were 9 years old.
“We are accustomed to taking care of everyone all our lives,” Linscot said. “We take care of everyone we love no matter what it is.”
Linscot, who grew up in Turkey Creek, Kentucky, makes sure to keep in close contact with Polkosnik, who grew up 375 miles away in Pond Creek, Kentucky, since Polkosnik lost her husband three years ago.
Early last Friday morning, Linscot and Polkosnik were talking on the phone like they do often, Linscot had asked Polkosnik if she needed anything.
“Well I don’t really need it, but I do want it,” Polkosnik said. “I’m craving a meatball sandwich from Subway but you live so far away you can’t get it for me so I’ll just keep wanting it.”
After the phone call Linscot had mentioned to her husband about how she felt sad about not being able to help her ill best friend.
Linscot’s husband had said that she should get Polkosnik the sandwich.
Soon after, Linscot decided to find a way to do so and went online and found Subway’s Pahrump Highway 372 location phone number and asked to speak to the manager, Rebecca Oshiro.
Once on the phone with the Oshiro she asked if Subway delivered.
Oshiro responded with “No not usually. Why what do you need?”
After Linscot explained the situation, Oshiro agreed to take Polkosnik the sandwich on her way home from work.
Linscot paid for the sub using her Visa number through the phone, offering Oshiro a $10 tip on her bill for gas and extra for taking the time to deliver the sandwich.
Oshiro kindly said she will not accept it and let Linscot know it really was no big deal.
Polkosnik described her emotions as startled when Oshiro arrived, surprised and overwhelmed with love and compassion for her friend Linscot.
“I was startled and so surprised,” Polkosnik said. “How could she do that? She lives all the way in Florida.”
Oshiro mentioned that when she left Polkosnik’s house they were both in tears.
“It was very humbling that just a five dollar sandwich could give someone so much joy and happiness,” Oshiro said.
Surprised with Oshiro’s kindness Linscot called Subways headquarters and told them about Oshiro’s kind act.
Linscot and Polkosnik continue their frequent phone calls, a friendship bridged through distance and time.
And now, a meatball sub.