If help can ever be gratuitous...
My eye caught the empty spot in a busy shopping mall parking lot. I quickly signaled to claim my prized spot, just a few feet from the mall entrance. Congratulating myself on my keenness, my note of confidence possessed me to decide on backing in to the spot. I angled the car and put it in reverse, ready to back in with one clean, effortless turn of the wheel. 'Whoa, these spots are pretty tight', I thought, as I checked the rear-view mirror. I went ahead and turned the wheel, changing my mind halfway to accomplish this feat with not one but two clean, effortless turns of the wheel. Still, all was under control.
Oh wait -- I should let this sweet old man pass first. I braked and he thanked me with a smile. However, he didn't proceed. Instead, he stood there and started flailing his arms at me.
What is he doing? Is he crazy?
NO. He can't be doing what I think he's doing. He's trying to guide me into my parking spot! I gave the little man a smile and wave of gratitude -- in other words, Thanks But No Thanks, Please Go Away. But he insisted; he wouldn't leave until his job was complete. His large expressive movements, not to mention his shouting of directions, started to garner attention. I could not believe this was happening. Hopelessly fluttered, I kept turning the wheel in whichever direction my shaken hands would lead. I lost all instincts in my embarrassment. The old man continued, now making circular motions with his index finger to indicate another turn of the wheel, while offering phrases of encouragement like, "That a girl!" and "You've almost got it, but not exactly!" Passerbyers turned their heads, some high school homeboys with baggy jeans and a walking limp snickered at me, and I decided this would be a good time to die. That, or a good time to run over that sweet old man. I mean, did it look like I was parking an airplane between pylons? After what seemed like hours of wrestling with the wheel, I finally straightened out the car while he started towards me, beaming at our good work. I groaned, and reluctantly smiled and lowered the window as he pressed onward,
"It just takes more practise -- but don't you worry, little girl, you'll get it after a few more tries! At least you're trying; my wife of forty years never liked to back in and so to this day, she don't know a thing about parking a car! But you've got the right idea, just keep at it!"
He was satisfied with himself. And he even went on to stop another couple walking by to tell them of the great service he just did. He pointed at me and I saw the couple look at me. Then, he winked at me and gave me the "thumbs up".
I batted my eyelashes and clenched my teeth. "Yeh, thanks buddy."
My eye caught the empty spot in a busy shopping mall parking lot. I quickly signaled to claim my prized spot, just a few feet from the mall entrance. Congratulating myself on my keenness, my note of confidence possessed me to decide on backing in to the spot. I angled the car and put it in reverse, ready to back in with one clean, effortless turn of the wheel. 'Whoa, these spots are pretty tight', I thought, as I checked the rear-view mirror. I went ahead and turned the wheel, changing my mind halfway to accomplish this feat with not one but two clean, effortless turns of the wheel. Still, all was under control.
Oh wait -- I should let this sweet old man pass first. I braked and he thanked me with a smile. However, he didn't proceed. Instead, he stood there and started flailing his arms at me.
What is he doing? Is he crazy?
NO. He can't be doing what I think he's doing. He's trying to guide me into my parking spot! I gave the little man a smile and wave of gratitude -- in other words, Thanks But No Thanks, Please Go Away. But he insisted; he wouldn't leave until his job was complete. His large expressive movements, not to mention his shouting of directions, started to garner attention. I could not believe this was happening. Hopelessly fluttered, I kept turning the wheel in whichever direction my shaken hands would lead. I lost all instincts in my embarrassment. The old man continued, now making circular motions with his index finger to indicate another turn of the wheel, while offering phrases of encouragement like, "That a girl!" and "You've almost got it, but not exactly!" Passerbyers turned their heads, some high school homeboys with baggy jeans and a walking limp snickered at me, and I decided this would be a good time to die. That, or a good time to run over that sweet old man. I mean, did it look like I was parking an airplane between pylons? After what seemed like hours of wrestling with the wheel, I finally straightened out the car while he started towards me, beaming at our good work. I groaned, and reluctantly smiled and lowered the window as he pressed onward,
"It just takes more practise -- but don't you worry, little girl, you'll get it after a few more tries! At least you're trying; my wife of forty years never liked to back in and so to this day, she don't know a thing about parking a car! But you've got the right idea, just keep at it!"
He was satisfied with himself. And he even went on to stop another couple walking by to tell them of the great service he just did. He pointed at me and I saw the couple look at me. Then, he winked at me and gave me the "thumbs up".
I batted my eyelashes and clenched my teeth. "Yeh, thanks buddy."
posted by Rebecca at
11:49 AM
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