The police car pulled out of it's hiding spot to tail me. I was sweaty and nervous, despite the fact I was CLEARLY not doing anything wrong.
He turned, as I did, at the next right.
Soon enough, despite my prayers, his lights flashed the signal to pull over.
My cracked smile permeated empathy and good will.
As I rolled down the window, he said "Hi, did you know you've got a flat?"
"No!" I shouted in a blast of relief.
Jumped out and shooed off the little guy's suggestion to help. The lug nuts were very rusted and ominous.
I phoned AAA to help me.
They'd be 45 minutes, on a busy Thanksgiving weekend.
He'll wait with me, the cop declares.
You REALLY don't have to, I'll just let the dog out and we'll have a snack while we wait.
I'll check back in with you later then, he decides out loud.
In ten minutes, the AAA truck pulls alongside my vehicle.
"No lug nut got the best of me!!" the proud, tall, redhead youth demands, as I point out the rust.
"Where are you going to get another tire? The BEST PLACE, with great used tire prices is on Veranda in Portland. You should go there."
Lickety Split, the tire was off and as I opened the trunk, I turned to the dude and asked "What size shoe do you wear?"
"12"
Here's your tip!
"I was just thinking I needed a pair of dress shoes, I'd totally wear those!"
They were new, still nestled in their neat little cloth bags, with a fine shoe horn gracing the top. It was the last of the items from a recent donation. For some reason, I'd put that box to the side.
If the AAA guy wasn't attached to his steering wheel, he'd had been flying.
Thanks for the flat, and the gift of GIVING.
for Good
Please share widely.
I'd love that!