Maybe It's Not the End of Civilization Just Yet

I was not thrilled to see a small black SUV parked in my rightful handicap space at the Gas Station Chicken Store on Sunday afternoon. No handicap plates, but sometimes there's a placard hanging from the mirror, that I can't see from behind. At least the parking space by the FREE AIR hose was empty. I pulled past the diesel pumps, made a U-turn in the alley, and nosed T-Hoe into that FREE AIR space. As I've mentioned before, there is still plenty of room behind that space for a vehicle to pull in and stretch that air hose to all four tires.

Anyhoo... I was not thrilled about walking twice as far. But it is what it is. With the sun's glare, I couldn't tell if there was a handicap placard hanging in the small black SUV. But I DID see a driver behind the wheel. Huh. I waited a couple minutes, but that car didn't leave. I heaved a put-upon sigh. Opened T-Hoe's door, and got one leg out onto the running board.

What's THIS??? The small black SUV was moving! Leaving my rightful handicap space. I might or might not have muttered "RUMPUSHOLE!" Just because I was already halfway out. But I hadn't stepped down yet, so I maneuvered my left leg back inside, started T-Hoe, and rolled down into my rightful handicap space. Then began my dismount efforts again.

Huh. That small black SUV had parked sideways up by the dumpster, behind the FREE AIR space I had just vacated. I guess maybe he needed some FREE AIR. As I got my knees loosened up to begin my trek inside, and closed T-Hoe's door, I heard someone call to me from the small black SUV. It was the curly-haired 20-something driver.

"I'm sorry about that! I was just waiting for someone to get air."

I have no idea what came over me! I was not at all mad at this kid! He was APOLOGIZING!!! Thinking of how his actions had affected another human being!

"Oh, that's okay. I'm here now. It's not a problem."

I think maybe my heart grew two sizes that day! I didn't even question why This Kid had been sitting in the handicap space when the FREE AIR space was open. Nor why there was only one customer inside, who did not go to the small black SUV upon leaving, nor why The Kid was still sitting there alone, not getting any FREE AIR, when I came back out.

All that mattered was the kind apology. Which may or may not have had anything to do with the presence of two police cars sitting across the moat facing our way, on the parking lot of Hick's pharmacy.