George needed a monthly bus pass since he can save time and over thirty dollars for the $22 and change ticket. So after a long deep depressing sleep, he climbed aboard the #29 bus to get to the Vons store.
The loss of his car has made his heart stronger, as well as his ears, nose and mouth. The real America lives on the streets and buses of once called Oil City- since oil wells still dig inside the black city of gold. Ever since last February his legs have yearned to walk more and more.
He thanks God to have given him a chance to serve Brother Mel, who resides inside the Sea Cliff Spa in back of his apartment. Doc Jennings told him his heart beats regularly now and his diabetes is under control. Not bad for one who almost lost his life at the Royale Pacific Community Center where he had been attacked by bed bugs, a psychotic bed fellow, and a ignored growth on his left ear.
The snap dragons and pansies never looked so good. He thought of his mother Edie who planted them each fall. Yes, his walk gave him the opportunity to smell the most beautiful sight in this world. With snow on the Anaheim hills, he waltzed in to the Vons Shopping Center and got in line. He took out a one hundred dollar bill and spoke to the cashier. No longer depressed he handed the bill to a little gal with Gabby on her lapel.
"My good sir, you gave me two!"
"Two what?"
"One hundred dollar bills. They must have kissed each other, I mean stuck together."
"You made my day Gabby. Let me speak to your manager!"
Well George had never seen two large bills stuck together Perhaps it was am omen -- lie the time he found three hundreds and a ten a block away from a Seven Elven in San Diego. The little blonds had been so rattled she forgot to hand him the ticket with change.
He walked to the south corner and placed his arm in a blood pressure machine. It registered 150 over eighty. The loss of his car had made a dent in his blood pressure. He crossed the Target Shopping Center and Beach Blvd before heading to Whole Foods. He remembered when he taught American Literature in East Los Angeles. Ben Franklin was mandatory and he remembered one of his sayings: "For lack of a nail, a boat leaked and sunk." Yes good old George had learned to tie both shoes for the first time in his life so he wouldn't slip into oblivion.
He then walked to the Bella Terra shopping center and entered. The gals never looked so good, even the ordinary never looked better. Now at a counter, he removed his Tuna sandwich from his nap sack. Guilty that he seldom spends much money there, he went to the food bar and bought some white fish and meat balls for five and change. The ladies never looked so good, too bad he didn't wear dentures quite yet. Every organ worked on his body -- and how!
He then walked north to the Old Navy store to return a never-worn pair of pants. Without the receipt, she allowed him to look for another pair -- and of course he found a perfect fit. He felt like a winner all day so he then deleted the movies and with is expired Costco card entered the store. He entered and ate the samples in the back of the store. He almost left without buying anything until he saw a chap selling sugar pop corn.
"Hey big fellow try some of this corn. You will enjoy it."
"Wow...I did a jig and soon several patrons imitated me."
"Hey try the cornel with chocolate."
I did and screamed for more. "ow much lad?"
"Twelve for three bags." Several people copied me and on the way out, I gave another the twelve and told her she could keep one bag. I waited outside and she let me have all three. I sat at a table and ate a few corns. A young girl of five or six came my way. I peered at her Mom who nodded. I gave her a handful.
"What is your name?'
"My name is Sara and . you look like a chicken."
"Now make sure you brush her teeth."
Yes, George's day became like a Franklin lighting rod, a great connection with God.
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