What A Day!

What a day! It started with an anticipatory fervor. The agenda was set as I headed out with the best of intentions. First stop, the dog groomers then Starbucks to create content for the blog. Unfortunately, the plan would die a quick death.

It was a beautiful but hot day in the Tri-Cities. The kind of day where the temperature climbs north of 30 before the day has even started and the humidity kicks the shit out of you like the shockwave from a blast furnace.

I arrived at the groomers at 8:50, a few minutes before opening. With the oil barons putting the boots to the global economy I took the opportunity to stick it back at them by shutting the machine off. After removing the keys from the ignition, I tossed them into the center console and opened the door.

A few minutes later the grooming shop unlocked the front door, so I climbed out of the car, the dog crawling across the console right behind me. Once he had jumped out I closed the door behind us and headed in. I was in the shop for approximately 45 seconds to a minute then returned to the vehicle.

I reached for the unlocked door and it doesn’t open; I try again with the same result. The noise in my head is screaming, WTF, I did not lock these doors. A twinge of panic pulsed through my body as I attempted to locate my keys in my pockets. The only problem is today’s shorts don’t have any pockets. Next, I look through the window to see my keys, wallet, and phone all stacked on the console.

An array of different scenarios run through my head but only one explanation makes sense. As my white ball of fluff crossed over the console he must have stepped on the key fob, unwittingly locking the doors moments before heading carefree into his day at the spa!

The groomer shares the building with an addiction services center. You know the type where addicts drop in to receive their methadone shots to keep the opium demons at bay. It turns out there is a group of people standing out front having a smoke while they waited for a cab, The one gentleman, a man of African heritage who looks like he has lived a very rough life, recognizes I’ve locked the keys in the car.

We talk for a moment and he pulls out all the usual platitudes people use in these situations, “Don’t worry bud, we’ve all done it before.” He would continue on as he pulls a $10 bill from his pocket. “Take this for a cab to get yourself home,” he says. “You can grab your spare keys and come back.”

I can’t take this guy’s money. He looks like he needs it more than I could ever. At that moment another dog owner dropping a dog off offers to call the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) using their account. Of course, what was I thinking, I have my own CAA membership. The gentleman who offered the cash now offers me his phone to make the call to CAA.

While I am on the phone arranging service the cab he and another woman are waiting for arrives. The woman begins to get a little ornery that the call is taking so long. Mainly because the cabbie is threatening to leave. As I head over to talk to the cabbie CAA finally completes the call.

I was truly grateful for everything this gentleman had done for me. I thank him, the woman, and the cabbie for waiting. Most people would have turned the other way. In one final act of kindness, the guy gives me a toonie (Canadian $2 coin) and insists I go grab a coffee while I’m waiting for roadside assistance to arrive. He won’t take no for an answer.

I accept this man’s kindness and head around the corner to the gas bar. I grabbed a bottle of water and survive a banal conversation about the heat with the attendant while handing him my lucky toonie.

Two hours and 20 minutes later roadside assistance pulled into the groomers and within five minutes the door was open. By that point, Max was all but ready to be picked up. As I waited I thought to myself about the events and circumstances that on one hand had turned my day upside down but at the same time had renewed my faith in humanity.

A huge thanks to everyone and especially the gentleman who took the time to help a guy in a moment of need. I will make every effort to pay it forward!  

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