Mondays can be rather slow moving, I figured it was time to share one of my, "How do I get myself into these situations?" Remember the collect call from the prisoner at Sedgwick County Jail? Everyone can use a laugh. My latest moment wasn't quite as bad but good enough to publish on the old blog.
I don't think it's a secret I've become somewhat of hermit these past 5 years. My true nature is extreme extrovert. Baby steps. Last Wednesday morning, the kids are gone by 6:50am (who comes up with this schedule?) and I am back home eating breakfast and watching Dr. Phil. Real exciting. It was a particularly impacting show, won of those "light bulb" moments. I don't need to go into detail just know I decided to go run errands and be more open to talking to people I don't know, etc...
I run to my bank and as I pull in, there's a man who has ran out of gas, pushing his car on 21st St/Tyler by himself. He can't push and steer it into the parking lot so I go in and make a deposit and tell them he needs help. They send out a girl, seriously. So, I'm walking out also and offer my help. He steers and she and I are pushing this car from behind into the parking lot (where are the guys when you need them?). Great, I've done my helpful deed and it feels good, I'll be on my way.
As the teller and I turn to go, he asks me if I'm doing anything right now. I answer no. He proceeds to ask me if I will drive him to his house to get a gas can. The teller looks at me and says, "I can vouch for him." I guess, I hope she knows him. Apparently, NO is not part of my vocabulary. Inside I'm freaking out. He is a big guy, he's so tall his knees are crammed into my dashboard. And all my K-State friends would never have let him in the car because he was wearing a KU Jayhawk shirt.
As we're driving down the road, my secret prayer is "Lord, please don't let him kill me." I said this over and over. I have seen every episode of Criminal Minds. I mean You Don't Get In the Car With a Stranger! When I pull up to his house and he's looking for the gas can in his garage it dawns on me...I have fully committed to the whole shebang. I now have to drive him to a gas station to get gas and then back to his car at the bank. Sometimes it's really hard to be me.
But while driving we are having small talk. He looked about my age. Through conversation I find out he's going to his 30 year high school reunion in the coming weekend for one of the Catholic High Schools. I mention I'm from Phoenix, didn't go to school here. And then I say, "But all the Wenzel's went to North." And just like that everything changed.
He asks if I know Jack Wenzel. Yes, he's my brother-in-law. I tell him I was married to Jeff. "I knew Jeff," he says. (Of course he does, and I was worried he was going to kill me). Ends up he went to OK Elementary and Hadley Middle School with them and then his mother made him go to a Catholic High School. He knew all about Jeff's brain cancer. He even knew his uncle L.D. and Aunt Marilyn.
These sorts of things happen to me a lot. First time I picked up a stranger and it ends up he knows the Wenzel's, but I don't recommend this as a way to meet people or get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes I wonder if Jeff is up there orchestrating these moments.
For future "get out of my comfort zone" situations, I'm thinking going to the gym might be a more sane option. Of course it would great if I hadn't just cancelled my membership. So, I'm looking for new and less dangerous ideas on how to interact with grown-ups, real adults who aren't my children. And if any of you run out of gas on purpose and call me.....well, I will probably come and help you. I'm just too nice.
