In Worcester attending a conference last Wednesday, I worried. Maybe I shouldn’t park my car in the shady part of the lot where there are no lines for parking. I took a chance. When I put the key in the lock at the end of the day, a voice started shouting over and over, “Hey!” I hoped the voice wasn’t addressing me.
“Hey! Hey! Open the window. You parked in front of my gate. I live here. That’s my house. I drive my car in that gate. See that gate? I had to park my car in the street because you’re in front of my gate. All my things were stolen. I had a thousand dollars of stuff. It was all stolen.”
Me: Oh, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry. I saw the fence in front. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see your gate.
“I had a thousand dollars of stuff. They broke in. They took everything. Electronic equipment. Everything. I have the police report. You want to see the police report? I didn’t have you towed. I had to park in the street. I live here. See that house. That’s my house. I swing my wife in the hammock. Look. Back up a little. Back up a little more. See that? That’s my hammock. I swing my wife in the hammock.”
Me: It’s very nice. Very colorful. Where’s it from?
“It’s from El Salvador. My wife and I are from Puerto Rico. It’s from the guy who had the house. I live here. I pay all my bills on time. I’m an alcoholic. But I’m responsible. I pay all my bills on time. Look, I have this dollar. I just want to buy a beer, but I don’t have any money. You can give me anything.”
Me: Here’s a dollar. But it’s not good to be an alcoholic. You should go to AA.
“That’s a good idea! Where is it?”
Me: I don’t live in Worcester. You should ask someone in Worcester where there’s an AA.
“Where do you live? I’ll write it down. I’m gonna call you.”
Me: Oh, I live east. Near Boston.
“In Salem? In Salem where the witches are?
Me: Yes. With the witches.
“You should come back. You can park your car any time. I’ll watch it for you.”
Me: You really should have me towed.
“No, no, no. I’ll watch it for you!”
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 