I Got 5 on It

Gas is down to $5.89 in my area. So, after this morning’s workout, I pulled into the station to top off the tank.

It’s all guesswork as to how much money to put down, but I figured $35 would top the tank. But then, when I was paying the cashier, something told me that since gas is down from last week’s $6.15, thirty-five would probably overflow the tank.

"$30 on Pump 2" said I to the cashier and deposited the extra five in my upstairs bank.

Exiting the store, heading back to the pump, a guy leaning against the building asking customers for spare change, asked me.

Without thinking, I withdrew the five from the bank, gave it to him.

Thinking about it later, I figured that’s why something had prompted me to get $30 worth, rather than thirty-five. The extra five was meant to go to that guy.

I’d half expected him to go into the gas station store, buy water or something to eat. Instead, I saw him walk away, head rapidly down the street towards the liquor store.

But no, he didn’t go into the liquor store. He walked right past it and out of sight.

Curiosity got the best of me so, after gassing up, I drove in the direction he’d disappeared and saw him go into a Smoke Shop.

I don’t think he was there to buy cigarettes but, if that’s where illegal substances are sold, how much can one get for a mere five dollars?

There’s a hip-hop song entitled “I Got 5 on It”, which refers to a five-dollar bill kicked in towards the purchase of an illegal herb, so maybe five was enough to meet what this guy felt was his current need.

I don’t judge the guy for not buying water and a candy bar, people do what people do; but his choice does put me in the position of having contributed to the monkey on his back.

Not only did Monday’s fireworks show go on well past midnight, it started up again yesterday around 7:00 p.m., ended after 11:00 and will probably continue nightly until the person or persons responsible deplete their cache of fireworks.

Earlier in that day, sitting at my perch on the couch, I saw a lot of furniture being moved down the walkway, out of the complex, followed by luggage.

The items were being removed from the invalid lady’s unit.

Last time I’d seen luggage being taken out of her unit, I’d mistakenly thought she was either moved in with family or into a care facility. She was gone for a bit, during which time the Marshals had gone in about 3:30 in the morning, taken a look around and then left. She reappeared some two weeks later.

No mistake this time, she’s been moved out — to live with her oldest son I’m told because she said she was "Tired of living alone".

As for why I’ve never seen her in the 10 years I’ve lived here, I was told she has not always been an invalid. That living here some 22 years, she used to attend events, would frequently be seen in the Community Room, but became unable to care for herself and get out and about at age 88.

She’s 98 now, so she became unable to care for herself, get out and about just about the time I moved in. Thus, our paths never crossed.

It’s scary to see and hear about people growing old and unable to care for themselves, but at least the invalid lady had family who cared, looked after her every day of the years she lived alone. Many of us are not so fortunate.

Was the black box removed from her patio railing you ask?

I don't yet know. I'll check next time I'm over that way.

There are 178+ stories on the complex. This has been one of them.