"If I blogged a lot," I told David, "I would totally write about the last thirty minutes." So i did.
David sent me on an expedition after work. Starbucks has these little coupons that entitle you to a free cold drink of any sort.So I set out to deliver them to the people and businesses around our store. I headed to Compass bank first. That is who we bank with, so i figured I would be nice and give the tellers a little present. After that, I decided to go to Goodyear. It is only a block away and they are really nice guys. Plus, mechanics LOVE frappuccinos.
I walked in and the bell on the door startled me. I was in there last Friday, so i should have remembered, but it still took me off guard. I thought no one was in there until a man popped up from the computer. I explained that I work at the Starbucks right over here. We know how hot it is, and we just wanted to give you guys a way to take a cool break. He just looked at me. I explained it a little more then just said thanks and have a good day.
When I walked out, I just turned to the right. I didn't want to be one of those people that looks like they obviously have no idea where they are going. I decided I would just go with it. So I passed a few more out. Then, I was off to Makarios. As I headed that way, I walked by the 2020 building. We used to park there at night, so I wanted to kind of introduce myself.
When I walked up, I got a little nervous. The doors have a very thick reflection on them. I could see myself clearly, and as I approached the door I imagined 15 people on the other side watching me attempt to open a locked door. Luckily, it was unlocked. However, when I walked in, I didnt see anyone. There was a little bell on a counter with a note that said, "Ring for help. Thx Management." Who abbreviates "thanks" but not "management" is beyond me. So I "Dinged" it. It echoed across the glass that it sat next to and all the way through the office. I could hear a man talking, and after a minute or so, he popped his head out of another room.
He just stood there. He never asked me what I wanted. He never said "hello." He just stood there. It was so strange. His mouth hung open and his head leaned forward as if he was about to eat me. He had a sort of pouncing preparation stance. I explained the coupons to him the same way I did to the man at Goodyear. "Yuuh Huuuh," he said with awful smile. I am almost sure the look in my eyes screamed confusion and judgment. I went on to explain that between 4 and 6 this week and next week, we are having a "chill break" with samples of drinks and pastries and just a lot of fun. He said, "so these," holding up the paper i just gave him, "are coupons and
these aren't?" I said, "Yeah these are kind of a little reminder slash invitation."
Then the weirdest thing happened. He started to smile and shake his head in agreement with me. I think he started to smile. I couldn't tell because I more focussed on the fact that his bottom lip was being sucked inside his mouth. The more he smiled, the more his head leaned forward, and the more his lip went INTO his mouth. I was afraid he was going to choke on it. I didn't want to be the one to call 9-1-1, so i said 'THX" and got out of there.
I wasn't sure how to process what had happened so I walked quickly to Makarios. I stopped walking so fast when I realized that it was 90 degrees and there was no breeze. The walk up the hill was awful. i walked in the restaurant though, and they were very appreciative. I headed to regions and they loved them. Up until then, I thought I was doing the explaining poorly.
As I walked down 20th, i decided to turn right. I had to avoid the construction in the street, and I also decided to check out that cat vet place behind our parking lot. So I walked over there.
I walked in and they kind of just looked at me. I was super nice. Totally on my A-game. I handed them a few cards and told them to come down there. They said thanks and then I made a boo-boo. There was a beautiful long-haired grey cat sitting on the counter. "You are a pretty cat," I said as I went to turn around. The voice coming from the floor chimed in telling me, "you can adopt him." I said, "oh no, my cat would hate me." She urged me and said, "Your cat will get used to it." I laughed with the fake laugh I make every effort not to use and said, "my cat hasn't really gotten used to the dog I got... in February. But if someone mentions, 'gosh i wish i had a cat.' I will send them over here."
I headed out the door with the upper hand and walked back to our store. i took out my phone and looked at the time. It had only been thirty minutes. I had encountered so many crazies in that short amount of time. I walked back in to our store and david convinced me to write about it. I really think the heat may be melting our brains. Cause when I got back to my car, the Starbucks cold cup I had left in there had shrunk. A lot.
