I can always count on Hillmombans to provide me with a tale that brings laughter, outrage, commiseration, or perhaps, like the 11:00 a.m. alcoholic that needed a dollar for the smallest bottle of whiskey, ALARM.
Saturday was no exception. I was in my favorite story-generating establishment, the Gas Station Chicken Store. While I was filling my foam cup with 44 oz of Diet Coke, a lady standing at the counter digging through her purse turned to see how many customers were waiting. Just me.
"You can go ahead. I'm just talking." She was standing at the unopen register on the left. She turned back to talk to the clerk. "I've been busy. I'm keeping my daughter's three kids. She's been out of town with work, and couldn't get a flight back, because of the weather.
I was in here last week, and I guess I left my wallet. I didn't notice it, because I had the kids, and I didn't go anywhere else. They're 12, 14, and 15. They're not bad kids. They just keep me busy. Then I had to go to the store, and I couldn't find my wallet."
By that time, I had my magical elixir at the counter.
"Did you remember this is the last place you went?"
"Not really. I kept trying to remember."
The clerk added, "It was snowing a lot that night. I didn't see it on the counter until a while after you left. I didn't think of it as being yours. I only opened it far enough to see if there was ID with an address in it. Then I gave it to Woman Owner to keep in case somebody came back for it."
"I was in here asking about it. That little guy was working [Rainbow Feather]. I asked if he found a wallet, and he said, 'Can you tell me what's in it?' So I said, 'There's a twenty folded up and stashed in a secret pocket, and a Capitol One card. And three one-dollar bills.' He looked at it, and gave it back to me."
Sweet Gummi Mary! I don't know how she could remember where she was all that long ago. But I guess if she hadn't been out, due to taking care of those kids, it wouldn't be so hard.
Not like that time I drove around WITHOUT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE for TWO WEEKS when I'd left it in my gambling purse.
After taking care of three teenagers, she should take that $23 and buy some liquor or some chocolate. She deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever left my wallet anywhere, not since I had a brand new one that I bought with my very first ever paypacket and I left it in the change room with my stuff while I swam at the local pool. It was gone when I went to get changed into my clothes again and I haven't lost one since then.
ReplyDeleteShe's very lucky a random customer didn't take hers.
Sioux,
ReplyDeleteI would have given her an extra dollar for 10:00 a.m. whiskey!
***
River,
I don't think I've ever lost one, either. Just assorted stuff that belongs in it! I guess it's a good thing business was slow that night, due to the snow. A lot of people come in for gas while traveling down the highway. I think they'd be more likely to take it than a regular.