All week when I've driven past the assisted living community down the street from here, they've had a sign up that read, "Rummage Book Sale Sat. 9:00 AM." Being a bit of a book junkie, I decided to go to see if I could find a cheap fix this morning. Umm. . . I couldn't find anything resembling a book sale. I drove around the parking lot (used book sales are often outdoor events), and looked around the building. Nothing. Not even a sign. I went in to the main entrance only to find myself facing another door with a note that said something to the effect that visitors must use the phone to call the resident they're visiting and that resident can let them in. I'm pretty sure if there was a rummage book sale going on, they would've had the doors open. Anyway, I told you that story so I could tell you the following story.
So I was coming out of the parking lot at the assisted living community and I let a guy on a bicycle cross in front of me. As he crossed, he looped around the front of the car, stopped by the driver's-side door, and said, "There's a car wash at Felpausch [the local grocery store]." The guy's voice had that handicapped slur, and my voice took on that false, excited, interest that it sometimes gets when I talk to children, old people, and apparently the handicapped. "They are?!?!" "Yeah. You should go get your car washed because I know your car is really dirty, and they're having a car wash over at Felpaush. It'll cost you a few dollars. Do you have a few dollars? You should go because they'll wash your car and your car is very dirty. Are you going to go right now?" "No. I have some things I need to get finished." "Well, you should go right now. It'll only take a few minutes." "Well, maybe I'll go a little later." "Okay. But you should go right now." It was cute. This guy saw a problem, my dirtydirty car, and he knew a solution, the car wash just down the street, and just had to share it with me. Awesome. I sometimes wish I were as helpful as he is. . . I realize I may sound a little sarcastic in telling this story. But I'm not. I'm not making fun of this guy. He made what would have otherwise been a failed pursuit of cheap books into a worthwhile outing, a reminder about assisting those who are in need. And for that, I'm grateful (20).
This post was particularly anticlimactic. I guess you're not a very good writer afterall. You've completely left the reader hanging without even a suggestion that there's more to come. Something like, "Stay tuned for the conclusion of 'Car Wash' after these messages," would have been helpful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe nursing really would be a better niche for you.
Did you get your freakin' car washed or what?!
Your impatience has ruined it for the whole class. I had a big second part to my carwash story that explained everything. But now I'm not goint to post it because you didn't have faith in me. sigh.
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