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Gas Money For Grams, by Jim Bartlett

11/12/2020

 
“Would you like your receipt, Mr. Johnson?”

“No thanks, uh...” The man pushes his glasses up to better see Melanie’s nametag. “...Melanie.”

“Thanks for shopping at Riteway Market.”

Sighing, she watches the man leave – he’s only the third customer since noon – while her fingers rub the little badge. As the story goes, she was named after a 70s folksinger who Grams watched perform at Woodstock.

After her parents died, it was Grams who raised her, and Grams loved every minute. Melanie smiles reminiscing all the nights spent in tie-dyed t-shirts singing “Kumbaya.” Grams was the best. Is the best.

The thought causes her to tap her jeans’ back pocket, a double-triple check that her three folded twenties are still there – gas money, or at least most of it, for next week’s trip to Grams’. If she’s lucky, Mr. Dracon, the store manager, will be handing out a twenty-five dollar Christmas bonus like last year.

The squeak of Mr. Findley’s cart, one of her favorite customers, arriving at her checkstand tears her from her reverie. For the first three years she worked here he always came arm in arm with his wife, but when she became ill last year, that came to a sad end, along with the dance in his step. Today he seems more distant than ever, the effort of placing a can of Folger’s coffee, a dozen eggs, a discounted loaf of bread, and two Banquet TV dinners as if each weighs a hundred pounds.

“Is today Wednesday?” he asks, pulling his wallet.

“No, Mr. Findley. It’s only Monday.”

His head drops and he begins returning the items to his cart. “Guess I’ll have to come back...my Social Security comes Wednesday.” He turns, but Mrs. Cranston, one of Melanie’s least favorite customers – a middle-aged woman who wears as much attitude as makeup – stands behind him.

For a moment, Melanie can’t breathe, her heart aches. But as Mr. Findley and Mrs. Cranston stand in a stare-off, something stirs within, and her hand slips into her pocket, pulling her long-saved gas money. Without a second thought, she tosses the folded bills just behind the shaken old man.

“Mr. Findley...I think you dropped something.”

He turns and looks down, his face going pale as he sees the money. “That can’t be mine.”

“Well...it fell out of your pocket.”

“Oh, my.” Shaking, he picks up the twenties and once again empties his cart onto the conveyor, all the while peering upward as though the ceiling might rain more treasures.

“Thanks, Mr. Findley,” she says, handing him his bag.

She turns to see Mrs. Cranston, impatient as ever, glaring from behind the card-reader, and quickly rings her up. Yet, as she hands her the receipt and thanks her, she catches just a hint of a smile.

Taking her groceries, Mrs. Cranston rounds the register’s end, but then stops. “I think you dropped something, dear,” she says, before continuing toward the door.

Looking down, Melanie sees a small wad of twenties at her feet. ​
michael McCarthy
11/12/2020 02:58:02 pm

This is such a clever story. as usual with Jim's I never guess the twist!
Fine characterizations and the perfect story for these times!

Jim link
11/12/2020 03:11:28 pm

Thanks, Michael. You are too kind.

Take care
Jim

Doug
11/12/2020 04:46:00 pm

Nice feel-good story Jim. Good unexpected twist at the end. maybe we shouldn't be too quick to give up on people. Nice

Jim link
11/12/2020 09:18:16 pm

Thanks ever so much, Doug. It is awful easy to give up on folks! Appreciate the kind words.
Jim

Drew Lackovic
11/12/2020 05:32:37 pm

Well done, Jim! That twist was on fire.

Jim link
11/12/2020 09:20:08 pm

Thanks much, Drew! Your kind words really mean a lot!!
Jim

phyllis souza
11/12/2020 06:23:58 pm

Jim, This reminds of the time a man standing in line behind me at the grocery store, he popped his credit into the reader and paid for my groceries. I objected. He resisted and said, "Do the same for someone else." Thanks for the memory. A lesson to be remembered. phyllis souza

Jim link
11/12/2020 09:21:25 pm

Wow - that's a wonderful story, Phyllis (hint, hint ;-)
Thanks so much for the comment!
Jim

Mike B
12/12/2020 04:41:05 am

Great story Jim!!! I throughly enjoyed it!!
It would seem that kindness in contagious,
wouldn’t that be a wonderful pandemic...

Jim link
12/12/2020 04:58:22 am

Thanks, Mike! We wouldn't even want to wear a mask if kindness were contagious! If only it were that easy to spread...

Take care
Jim

Mary Wallace
12/12/2020 05:48:37 am

Jim this touched me so much. A perfect story of hope. The world can change when we realize that those we consider "least favorite" can become kind when the opportunity arises. It shows how much our attitude to others, dictates their attitude to us. There can be a kindness pandemic, we just need to follow Melanie's lead.

Jim link
12/12/2020 01:49:42 pm

Oh my, it makes me feel so good that it touched you, Mary. It would be quite nice to see a kindness pandemic replace the current divide that we have in this country. I really appreciate your comments!!
Take care
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
12/12/2020 07:21:45 pm

This is a lovely story, Jim. A real tear jerker. Thank you.

Jim link
12/12/2020 08:35:45 pm

Thanks so much, Marjan! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Take care
Jim

Sue Clayton
13/12/2020 02:11:19 am

This did actually bring tears to my eyes, Jim. A really great story of human kindness.

Jim link
13/12/2020 03:13:45 am

Thank you so much, Sue! With all that is going on out in the world, I think we need a bit of hope that kindness still exists, even from those we least expect it. Thanks again for the "kind" comments.

Take care
Jim

Sarah Blum link
13/12/2020 07:00:02 pm

Brought tears to my eyes. Nicely woven story full of reality and a very pleasant surprise. I love the way you weave your stories Jim.

Jim link
13/12/2020 07:55:41 pm

You are too kind with your comments, Sarah. Thanks ever so much.

Take care
Jim

Candace Arthuria Williams
15/12/2020 05:07:53 am

It has been said that we reap what we sow. BTW, I shared "Three Nails" with my church. They loved it. You're an inspiration, Jim.

Jim link
15/12/2020 05:38:48 am

Thanks for the kind words, Candace. As much as I am in awe that you shared "Three Nails," I can take no credit for that one. It was by Doug Bartlett, Same last name, no relation other than long-time friends. I'll pass along your "inspirational" message to him. ;-)
Thanks much
Take care
Jim

Candace A. Williams
15/12/2020 10:41:41 am

Oops. It was late last night. Sorry. I can't believe I made that mistake. I had to ask Gordon to add my middle name because of all the Candace Williamses in the world. Well I can't say anything more about this story than has already been said. I love it.

Jim link
15/12/2020 03:03:20 pm

Are you kidding- absolutely no problem!! Thanks for the nice comment. I passed along your nice comment about sharing "Three Nails" to Doug (he lives two states south of me) and it really, really made his day. He thanks you ever so much for that. Have yourself a great day!
Jim


Comments are closed.

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