The old habit is back again and in full force. Maria cannot see up close and things at a distance are somewhat fuzzy. She still knows when I should turn, when I should pull out in traffic and when and where I should turn.
I have been parking rather wide the past few weeks for our participation in Bread Wars. But it was raining yesterday and I wanted in close to the garage door so neither the bread or us would get soaked. I should have known it would come.
It starts with Jeezs. Then some cringing and finally “there’s no room for the pickup to get in. I am unable to answer without a snide remark. My wife had nearly cured me of that habit, but since her passing and with the quantity of stupidity around me, the old family trait is crawling back. I’m sorry to say, but I kind of like it. Why am I sorry? If I was really sorry, I could stop. The truth is I’m having a blast.
If he really can’t get in, he can park way over there and carry his breadboxes like we usually do. My backseat helper snickered and the recommendations ceased. When the pickup arrived, he twisted right in between the shrubbery and my van. He’s a very good driver and is often crowing about his prowess in backing up big rigs and trailers. I believe him so I want to test his ability from time to time, especially when it’s raining.
The third of the month is payday for old people. Social Security checks arrive. I usually do some shopping on the third or fourth of the month. Had to go out today. I was out of milk and I am a milk drinker. Also, my van was running on fumes. I often take a few people shopping with me who have no transportation. Maria was in my entourage. We need to go back to the Arco on the east side to get gas. It’s only 2.69 over there. I don’t know if I can make it. I have been running on empty for three days now. But it’s cheaper. Cheaper will mean nothing to me if I have to walk. I’m going to Safeway and see what there price is. They are the closest gas station to The Home.
It was slightly higher, but I always get a 3¢ per gallon discount so the price would be close. After I entered my cards I learned I had spent enough to get a 10¢ per gallon discount today which meant it beat the Arco price. Naturally I mentioned that when I got back in.
On the way to the gas station we passed Maria’s bank. She wanted to stop. I told her I would come back after getting gas. But you are driving right by it. Don’t worry. I’ll come back. It’s only a block to Safeway and I would have to cross traffic. Quiet, thankfully. We came back and left for our next stop to pay our cable bills. I pulled onto the main road and made a quick left (not the normal route) then swung onto a small road behind Walgreen. Do you have to pick something up? No this is the wrong way. It’s a short cut. No it isn’t. This is a parking lot. I know but it will open onto the road we need. No it won’t. You are going to have to come back. By that time I was at the cross street into the parking lot for the cable company. It was Quiet. There was one more direction coming. After we purchased our groceries, and I needed to pull across the busy street to head to The Home. Now! Now what? You could have made it. You’re kidding. No, just pop a wheely. You can’t be serious. You want me to take all our lives in my hands. No way. The on coming traffic will hit me first. Now if you were going to get it…. Don’t even think that. I was advised twice more to go when I doubted the wisdom of the move. Where you going in such a hurry? (I learned that from a policeman.) Nowhere! Right, and you have nothing to do but get home alive. That is my plan. OK, we can take out time.
OK! That sounded like victory to me.
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