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At the BMV, by Don Tassone

1/10/2021

 
“Next,” said a middle-aged man sitting behind the counter at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

His voice was robotic. He didn’t look up. He was staring at a computer screen. His eyes looked dead.

I understood. The BMV was probably my least favorite place in the world. I never imagined renewing my driver’s license would be the highlight of my day.

I wondered if I could still pass the vision test. I wondered if this would be my last driver’s license.

The line inched forward. The linoleum floor was wet from people tracking in snow. As I stepped forward, I slipped and fell down hard, landing on my back. My head hit the floor, and I nearly passed out.

Those near me in line backed away. Maybe they were afraid of losing their places by helping me. Then, looking up, I saw the man who had been sitting behind the counter. He was now kneeling beside me.

“Are you okay, sir?” he said.

I moaned. I couldn’t speak.

“Someone call 911,” the man shouted.

He took off his sweater and balled it up. Then he gently lifted my head and slipped his sweater under it. It felt like a pillow.

I looked into his face. I saw concern in his eyes. It was the closest I had been to anyone, face to face, in years. I’d nearly forgotten what it was like to look into someone’s eyes.

“I’ll stay right here until help arrives,” he said, patting my shoulder.

I noticed movement. People in line were moving forward around me. As they passed, they looked down at me with curious eyes.

When the EMTs got there, they checked me out, then lifted me onto a stretcher. The man from behind the counter helped them lift me. Then he picked up his sweater, stretched it out and carefully laid it on top of the blanket over me.

“Be well, sir,” he said as they rolled me out.

On the way to the hospital, I wondered if the man had gone back to work. I wondered if his eyes had changed. I wondered if mine had changed.
​
peppermint
1/10/2021 11:23:42 am

GOOD REMINDER TO CHECK WITH ONES OWN RESPOSE BEFORE JUDGING ANOTHER. HOW TRUE THE CONCERN OF, "WILL I PASS THE TEST?" I RECALL SEEING THE PANDEMIC BMV LINE--6 ' APART----IN THE RAIN. UGH!

Libby Belle link
1/10/2021 11:50:13 am

Although cliche, "Never judge a book by its cover" is still a powerful message, even while waiting in line at the DMV. Falling down gave the fearful man much more to think about than failing a driver's test. Sometimes it takes a jolt to help one see past one's nose. Cool story!

John Young
1/10/2021 03:44:46 pm

Nice. I liked the small twist at the end. I think it says a lot about many jobs people have. Noble beings lost to mundane tasks. It's only when yanked away to we once again become human.

Jim link
1/10/2021 04:07:29 pm

So well done, Don. Loved the last lines - wondering if each of their eyes had changed. (A window to the soul.)
Really enjoyed this.
Jim B (guess I had better start adding the "B" - several Jims now ;-)

Kathy K.
1/10/2021 05:05:41 pm

Jim said it all for me. Compassion is a beautiful thing that changes people.

Peggy Gerber
1/10/2021 10:55:31 pm

Now that’s what you call a bad day. Glad he had the compassionate BMV worker by his side.

Dee Lorraine
1/10/2021 11:18:22 pm

A well-told story of two lives changed. Thanks, Don. It's a good reminder that we never know when we might need the kindness of a stranger.

Candace Arthuria Williams
1/10/2021 11:35:34 pm

What a harrowing experience, Don. Hope everything's okay. Thank God for the Bartlebys. I think we're all seeing a little better.

Doug
2/10/2021 12:37:51 am

Thank you Don for the wonderful story. It's a good one for me to reflect on. Thanks again.

Sue Clayton
2/10/2021 03:43:28 am

A wonderful story of human kindness. A reminder that we should all reflect on ourselves before we judge others.

Don Tassone link
2/10/2021 11:41:07 am

Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
2/10/2021 07:45:45 pm

A beautiful story about the power and value of compassion, with a superb ending. Well written, Don.

Don Tassone link
2/10/2021 08:33:04 pm

Thank you, Paritosh.


Comments are closed.

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