Part II – Food Poisoning

Part II – Food Poisoning


I tried to do something nice this week. I went to the store to pick up balloons and a card for someone in my life that was feeling a little down. I pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall with a smile on my face, knowing how happy my little good deed was going to make someone else. I parked my car and opened the driver’s side door only to blurt out in total disgust, “Oh! Gross!” at what I saw on the car next to me.

Unfortunately, the owner of the vehicle was also walking up to it, just at that very moment. Whatever good deed points I had hoped to earn were taken away with that single comment overheard.

“Thanks,” the young teenage girl sarcastically remarked.

Already not in her good favor, I just went ahead and pried, “What happened?”

“Well,” she started, “I guess that I deserved it. I wasn’t a very good friend.”

I stared, not able to take my eyes off of the little white car.

“I think that can be said of both parties involved.” I observed, staring at the car.

“No, it was my fault. I was the bad friend.” She continued to tell me all about her terrible week, and the disappointing things she had done to a dear friend, standing right there in the parking lot next to her car that was now drawing stares from a number of people walking through the lot. I tried to offer some advice but felt that I hadn’t succeeded. At the end of the conversation, she thanked me and I wished her well. She began to walk into the grocery store while I headed off to the party supply store.

Inside, the clerk inquired about the car parked next to mine, saying that she could see us talking through the oversized windows that lined the front of the store. I told her that the girl was having a rough time with friends. “High school girl stuff, ya’ know? Sounds like she’s had a rough few days.” The clerk smiled sympathetically and I walked out the door, balloons in hand. I decided to head next door to the coffee shop before wrapping up my shopping trip.

Leaving the café, as I approached our vehicles, side by side, I saw three balloons floating up from the side-view mirror. I walked around the adjacent car, covered from front to back in rotting food – Spaghetti O’s, bologna, peanut butter and jelly open-faced sandwiches, French toast, ketchup, mustard, eggs, cupcakes, you name it – that were not only stinking, but had also completely froze to the vehicle. I noticed a little card attached to the balloon bouquet. “Hope your day looks brighter.” I looked up to see the clerk from the party supply store quickly stepping through the door of her store, not looking back.



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Check Out Tuesday’s Post for…
Part III: It’s All Fun and Games, Until it Involves a Nail Gun…

Check Out Wednesday’s Post for…
Part IV: What A Wreck

Check Out Thursday’s Post for…
Part V: It’s All Relative (How These Events Really Relate to Education)