Why is it difficult to do a good deed? The Costco gas station in Ajax opens at 6.30 a.m. every day. Between errands, I pulled up at the gas station at 8.30 in the morning. When I stepped out the gusty wind pierced through the four layers of clothing. The wind chill was -6°C. I turned around to gauge its direction and present my back to it. As I was filling up one of the four minders (helpers) came up to me. I asked him.
"How long is your shift?"
"Eight hours," she replied.
I took it for granted this was the work of a man. I could only see the eyes.
"When do you get your break," I asked more to exercise my face.
"Half an hour after two and a half hours," she replied pulling down the face mask.
I could only screw up my face in sympathy.
"Two and a half hours is a long time in this cold," she said.
I soon bid her farewell and told her to keep warm.
I did my errands, but I could not forget the incident. The least I could do was buy her coffee. So I went to a Tim Horton's drive in and ordered four small double double (coffee with two creams and two spoons of sugar). When I drove up to the utility window, he said, "This is Wendy's coffee. If you want Tim Horton's it is around the corner." [Wendy's and Tim Horton's belong to the same chain of fast-food restaurants and is housed in the same facility.]
"Wendy's is fine," I said.
I paid him and thought that coffee is less expensive here.
Then the Wendy's coffee dispenser opened the window and asked, "Sir. Did you order two coffees?"
"Four," I replied.
"Please pull up to the front and someone will bring it to you."
Why can't he just give it to me now, I wondered. Within five minutes, a lady brought the coffee in a tray to my double parked vehicle. I thanked her and made my way to the Costco gas station.
It was 10.30 and there was a long line up at every pump. As soon as I reached within calling distance of one of the minders, I rolled down my window and waved for the person to come over.
"What's up?" I think it was the same lady.
"I brought you guys some coffee" and handed her the tray.
"Ooohhhh. You didn't have to do that," she said.
"That's ok. I don't have to gas up. Can I go through the lines?" I asked.
"Thanks a lot man. Sure, go ahead." she said.
Even though I did not roll up the window immediately, I felt a warmth spreading through me. In the mirror, I could see her approaching the others, talking and gesturing. Below another cape, I could see the blond hair of another woman.
What does it take you to to warm up to the idea of sharing this winter? Four coffees, less than $5. Any takers?
"How long is your shift?"
"Eight hours," she replied.
I took it for granted this was the work of a man. I could only see the eyes.
"When do you get your break," I asked more to exercise my face.
"Half an hour after two and a half hours," she replied pulling down the face mask.
I could only screw up my face in sympathy.
"Two and a half hours is a long time in this cold," she said.
I soon bid her farewell and told her to keep warm.
I did my errands, but I could not forget the incident. The least I could do was buy her coffee. So I went to a Tim Horton's drive in and ordered four small double double (coffee with two creams and two spoons of sugar). When I drove up to the utility window, he said, "This is Wendy's coffee. If you want Tim Horton's it is around the corner." [Wendy's and Tim Horton's belong to the same chain of fast-food restaurants and is housed in the same facility.]
"Wendy's is fine," I said.
I paid him and thought that coffee is less expensive here.
Then the Wendy's coffee dispenser opened the window and asked, "Sir. Did you order two coffees?"
"Four," I replied.
"Please pull up to the front and someone will bring it to you."
Why can't he just give it to me now, I wondered. Within five minutes, a lady brought the coffee in a tray to my double parked vehicle. I thanked her and made my way to the Costco gas station.
It was 10.30 and there was a long line up at every pump. As soon as I reached within calling distance of one of the minders, I rolled down my window and waved for the person to come over.
"What's up?" I think it was the same lady.
"I brought you guys some coffee" and handed her the tray.
"Ooohhhh. You didn't have to do that," she said.
"That's ok. I don't have to gas up. Can I go through the lines?" I asked.
"Thanks a lot man. Sure, go ahead." she said.
Even though I did not roll up the window immediately, I felt a warmth spreading through me. In the mirror, I could see her approaching the others, talking and gesturing. Below another cape, I could see the blond hair of another woman.
What does it take you to to warm up to the idea of sharing this winter? Four coffees, less than $5. Any takers?
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