Gator Attack

I walked out of my apartment this morning, took a dozen steps and hit the sidewalk when from behind me I hear “Do you have a car?” Huh? I turn to see an elderly gentleman standing there, looking quite civilized.

What is going on.  It is 7:45 in the morning and I have an 8:00am appointment of some importance.

I smile, “No, I don’t.  I walk.”

This is the absolute truth.  I have not had a car since December. I live five blocks from my office, four blocks from the grocery store, 2 blocks from several of my favorite clubs and venues, and within 6 blocks there must be 50 retaurants that I love. I don’t need a car.

He looks at me. “Do you know how much gas is today.” Then I get it.  This man is upset and wants to talk about it to anyone who will listen.  I have an appointment to get to but it seems like I can spare a few minutes to hear him rant about the price of gas, and then when he lived in Florida and watched some lady be attacked by an alligator, and how he hates winter and is not sure why he moved back to Indiana.

“Do I know how much gas is?” No idea.  I am thankful that my pocketbook does not have this burden to bear. I am thankful that I am car free.  Every day that passes I am happier about it.  Maybe someday I will want or need one but for now, I am very happy walking and running through the streets of my town.

He seems sad and alone.  I am glad that I was able to stop and smile and hear him.  I wonder if it made his day a little bit better. Willard and Ezra can get their stuff figured out. I can be a few minutes late and life will go on. I remember one morning that I locked the whole crew out of the site and they sat outside and waited for me to arrive – sat there on the step, in the sun, for nearly two hours. Cheyenne (the GC) had a lot to say about that.

A few minutes to stop and hear what this man has to say won’t hurt today.