A Welcome Intrusion

Last week, we had rain in the afternoon forecast. I checked the future radar, and saw that a heavy burst was due to hit Bill-Paying Town around the time of my leg therapy appointment. Dang it! Mrs. HM is not a fast-mover. Gone are the days when I could sprint from T-Hoe to business without getting too wet. I was lucky that the rain held off for the drive.

I always sit in T-Hoe, once I have secured a parking space where I am sure nobody can park against the driver's door. My favorite space is a handicap slot in the top row, the farthest from the door. I have to back in, scratching T-Hoe's passenger side on an unruly bush. But the striped walkway is by my door. And I am facing out for an easy exit. That lot is TIGHT when you have to back up and other cars are there.

On this rainy day, my preferred space was taken. There are four handicap spaces, but as you might imagine at a THERAPY facility, a lot of "customers" need them. My second choice is on the bottom row, next to the entrance/exit. Nobody can park on my left side, or it would block traffic. I only have to back up a few feet, and T-Hoe's nose is clear to leave. The downside is that I have to walk up a slight hill, and across the lot to get to the door. I was lucky again that the rain had just started to plop down as I left T-Hoe.

I was NOT so lucky when it was time to leave. I could see rain sluicing down, through the double glass front doors. Oh, well. I was gonna get wet. I could dry out on the 25-minute drive to Sis-Town, where I would stop for scratchers. I ducked my head, went out the door, across the sidewalk, and out from under the roof, onto the blacktop. I was especially careful not to slip on that wet smooth surface.

There was a car parked on T-Hoe's right. No matter. I wasn't opening that door. Glancing out from under my dripping eyelashes, I saw the driver's door of that car open. An old man got out with an umbrella. I figured he was going inside for his appointment, though a lot of spouses wait in the car. The man walked toward me. I was halfway to T-Hoe when

THE MAN STOPPED BESIDE ME WITH HIS UMBRELLA!

"Let me help you."

"Oh. That's so nice! Thank you!"

He walked alongside, covering me with the umbrella, allowing himself to get wet. He held it at my door as I opened it and climbed inside. 

"Thank you, sir! I need a new knee!"

"I need a new back! Gettin' old ain't for sissies!"

"That's for sure! Thanks again!"

"You have a nice day."

Such a nice gentleman. He got back in his car as I was buckling up. A true good-deeder.