I left The Pony in T-Hoe as I went in to pay for gas on Thursday. The Pony gets out and pumps the gas after I pay. Or sometimes goes in, if I'm planning to use the bathroom there, to carry my scratchers back out to the car. Either way, I don't have to try and rush back to the pump before the payment info expires. That has happened before, and I was NOT a happy pumper!
Anyhoo... you may recall that I AM NOT VERY MOBILE! I don't use my cane in town. I can walk, but slowly, because I don't trust that right knee. Also, there's a limp, because that leg is BENT, and I don't have a normal heel/toe stride.
Anyhoo... I started across the parking lot, waiting for a car to back out, before proceeding over the expanse where cars drive by. I always park at Pump 3 or Pump 4, because they're directly across from the striped handicap zone with its ramp onto the sidewalk. An employee was standing there taking a break, wearing her Casey's apron. She must work in the kitchen, because I don't recall her every waiting on me at the counter. She was blond, 28-32, smoking a cigarette.
"C'mon. That's it! You can make it!"
What in the Not-Heaven??? I don't need people pointing out my infirmity. I KNOW I have trouble walking. No need to patronize me. It's not like I'm finishing a marathon. Not like I'm competing for a gold medal. Not like I'm right out of bed after a major surgery. I'll get there when I get there. I don't need encouragement from strangers.
"Yeah. I need a new knee."
"What?"
"I'm just slow. I have a knee problem."
"You do?"
Seriously! If you're going to make a big deal about how I walk, the least you can do is pay attention when I respond to your unwanted interest!!! I only spoke to her to be polite, and not leave her hangin'.
I'm sure she meant nothing by it. I guess she thought she was "helping" me. The interaction didn't seem in any way malicious, or for the purpose of ridicule. But not all elderlies love to talk about their aches and pains.
Sometimes, people just need to mind their own business.
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