Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I think I saw an Angel...


I stopped off at my favorite Mapco to use their facilities and trade in a couple lottery tickets. The nice lady behind the counter asked me if I would like to register for a free gas card. So while I am filling out the form, I overhear this kid talking to the cashier about trying to get home to Ohio and not having enough money. He was trying to get the lady to take his Dad's credit card number over the phone to pay for gas. I guess it is against company policy to do that, so he started to walk out just as I had finished registering.

I caught him at the door and asked him what the problem was. He just needed some cash to get home because no gas station will take a credit card over the phone. So I told him I could spare a twenty, but I would have to run down the road to the bank first. He was thanking me and on the verge of tears when he asked me if he could have my address so he could send it back to me. I said, no just help the next person when you can.

Just then a very tall black man walked out the door and stopped, asking him if he was okay. The kid said he was fine now and I added that I was going to run down the rown and get him some cash. The man, reminded me of Morgan Freeman by the way, held out his hand and asked the kid,

"You need some cheese?"

He stuttered a bit and said, "Yeah, but this guy is gonna...".

"Do you need some cheese?", the man said if a fairly demanding voice.

"Yes", the kid said as the man handed him a twenty. When he was walking around the front of his cadillac, the kid asked if he could do anything for him.

"Just help the next man that needs it", he said without pausing or making eye contact.

Now I don't know much, but I do know that tall black man was NOT in the store when I was filling out the form for the gas card or when the kid was telling his story to the cashier. This guy could not have hidden behind a rack of Cheetos. I do know that there was something incredibly odd about the whole situation and how it played out. It was like a scene out of a movie. I get chills just writing about it.

I know that I will never forget that kid's face as he was thanking me or taking the money from the black man. I have never heard money referred to as cheese, but I love it now. So the next time you see someone that might be in need, ask them if they need some cheese and stick a twenty in their hand.

Peace,

Phil

2 comments:

Nancy said...

Oh my goodness. What a wonderful story. You have even more inspiration now. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm missing Kris in the bloggy world! Hope you all had a wonderful mini-vaca.

Suzy said...

That's the biggest con in the world. Of course they take credit cards over the phone. The black guy was the shill and he appeared when they realized you had to drive down the road. Maybe to talk to the police? Or figure it out and not come back?

This variation on the I need gas con has been going on for 25 years. One of my boyfriends fell for it, gave the guy $20 and the guy took his card to 'send it back' which of course he never did.

This kind of bs crime is sprouting up ALL over, especially the "police assoc. and Katrina cons."
Be wise. Never let anyone in your house. People need their money right now and some are more gullible than others.

From a big city girl.

My favorite Songwriter Joel Shewmake

Quote of the year...

“Be not the judges of men, but love your brothers and sisters, and find ways to reach out to them in common goals and aspirations. Where there is love in common, the divisions of creed will melt away and reveal the true nature of man’s eternal destiny -- one of unity in purpose, to be perfect as the Father is perfect."

Author Brilliant but Unknown

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