My Happy Thing

Last Sunday, I was working at the gas station with this guy Curt.  He was working the register and I was doing…whatever I was doing.  This middle-aged woman, clearly a bicyclist, came up the counter and said, "I have to ask a big favor."  Curt asked her what it was.  She told him that she had been riding for a very long time, and upon stopping, realized she had left without her money or cellphone.  She wanted to know if she could take a Gatorade, which her mother would pay for later in the week.  Also, she inquired if we could fill her water bottle for her.  Curt, though not a bad guy, replied that she couldn’t take anything because corporate was always watching the cameras.  We would get in trouble.  Also, she would have to ask Dunkin Donuts for fill her water bottle for her.

Sadly, she accepted his response, probably realizing it was a long shot to begin with.  It’s always worth asking, because the worst answer you can get is ‘no’.  She went over and politely asked a Dunkin worker to fill her water bottle and left the building.

This didn’t sit right with me.  I thought about the situation for no more than three seconds and went after her.

"Ma’am?"  I said, as I stepped outside.  She turned around.  "I’ll get you a Gatorade."

Her face lit up.  She said, "I’ve been riding around all day in this heat.  I’ve got my water bottle, but it’s just not doing it.  I’m worried that I’m not going to make it home."  I opened the door for her.  After she stepped through the door, she turned around to shake my hand and introduce herself.  "I’m Matty.  And your name is?" she asked looking at my name tag.  "My name is Ducky."  Matty said, "Nice to meet you Ducky."

I told her to to pick out whatever she wanted.  She came back with a medium sized Gatorade, the blue kind, whatever flavor that is.  Matty told me that it was only $1.89, but I told her that it didn’t matter.  Curt rang it up and put my card through.

Before she left, she thanked me again, shook my hand again, promised me that her mother Jessie would come sometime in the week to give me the money.  I said whatever happened was just fine.  And I meant just that.  I believed that she would arrange something, but I honestly didn’t care if I got something back.  I mean, sometimes well-meaning people forget things, or even put things off, or important situations come up.  Happens to me.  Happens to you.

Yesterday was a fairly busy day at work, with it being Memorial Day weekend, and my store being the hub of the town.  I was at the register with person after person, busy with things to do and beaches and barbeques to go to, and family and friends to see.  Most of them were regulars, but all of them were in a bit of a hurry.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a little old lady come in that seemed familiar, but, at the same time, I didn’t think I had seen her in my store before.  I heard her ask my coworker Buzz, "Is Ducky working today?  I’m pretty sure she’s supposed to be working today."  Buzz pointed over at me, with my long line ahead of me.  The little old lady just hopped in line and waited patiently.

As I looked in her eyes, and as she handed me an envelope, I knew exactly who the lady was.  She was Jessie, Matty’s mother.  Because there were a few people behind her, she kept what she had to say short and sweet, "My name is Jessie.  You met my daughter Matty last week.  She wanted to give this to you, and as I’ve always told her, it’s important to write ‘thank you’ cards.  So, please take this, and I want to thank you again for looking after my daughter."  Her smile was warm and genuine.  I told her ‘your welcome’ and that I was pleased to help.  I think I must have muttered something else.  Even though I was busy, I tried to express that I was happy to help.

I tucked the envelope away so that I could enjoy later, like my treat for when I got home.

When I got home, I forgot it was in my bag for a couple of hours.  I hopped out of my seat the second I thought of it, though.

The card had a picture of a paper crane on it.  The quote underneath said, "Paper Crane I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world."  Sadako Sasaki, age 12.

Inside it read: "Dear Ducky:

Many thanks for recognizing my needs, on the way home from a long ride.  It ended up being 51 miles and successful because of the drink you bought me.  I believe in Random Acts of Kindness deserve to be recognized.  Please use $2.00 to pay back your card and $18.00 to treat yourself to lunch or something.

Respectfully,

Matty

-The Sunday Biker!"

Inside was tucked a crisp twenty dollar bill.  I read the note over and over again.  All I needed was the pride I already got from helping her.  Matty’s smile last Sunday was my reward, and now her thoughtful, handwritten note added to it.  The twenty is part of it, but the teensiest, tiniest piece of it all. 

I’m going to save it for something nice. 

I hope I see Matty again soon.