Scott Whitby, 2023
On an outing with my church, an out of town retreat, I went to the lodge a day early. It was partly for convenience (which let me coordinate travel related to another meeting) and I thought partly to get away and have some quiet time alone. As it turned out, I had the lodge to myself that first 24 hours. It proved a bigger lesson.
I walked and read and played my guitar. I took pictures of the changing fall trees. I reflected on this good place and how fortunate I was to be part of it and wondered why that was.
Then I got hungry. I cleaned up and discovered I had two problems. One manageable, the other not. No one would know if I went commando. Everyone would know I didn't bring deodorant.
I ate a bigger than average supper at a restaurant overlooking the Cumberland River. I had time to sit alone until after sunset. Knowing I had to find deodorant before the Dollar Store closed, I signed the credit card receipt and headed there.
I found a small deodorant stick and some soap to boot. It was nine dollars. At the register, I sized up the cashier as having had a pretty rough go of it. She looked old but she didn't seem older than me (which might be the same as being old), had bad teeth and poor grammar, and was really skinny and had healed pock marks on her face. I figured methamphetamine played a part in that and I still think so.
I pulled out and opened my billfold. No credit card. I'd left it at the restaurant. She asked how much money I had. It was an odd question but I had none of that either. (...hell lady, I don't even have underwear on). She said "just take it, you can bring it later. If you don't come back you don't come back". Not knowing what the socially best practice is in this situation, I grabbed the bag and went back to get my card.
She seemed surprised when I came back. I handed her the receipt and my card. She looked disappointed, not surprised, but disappointed. She said "I'm not taking your money". She read the puzzle on my face and before I could ask why and what are we doing, she said that was her good thing for the day and I wasn't going to mess it up. It was clear this was important to her. I thanked her and assured her I'd pass it down. She smiled.
She was beautiful.
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