Number eleven

Sometimes I go to Lowe's, sometimes to Home Depot, but my favorite hardware store is a small local one I have been going to for 30 years. The first time I went in there as a single woman after my divorce I had to get some parts for electrical work. I am very bad at labels and technical terminology, but I took in an old part and asked for another one like it. They were very good with me. No one said, "Well, just have your husband come in," like other stores had treated me through the previous years. They actually acted like I knew what I was doing and if I needed help, they were there to provide it. They convinced me at another time that I could replace a sump pump myself while standing in several inches of water in my basement. I had to plug it in while standing in water. I haven't been afraid of learning new household repairs since. Watching the basement drain put a huge smile on my face.

The hardware store is located in a small strip mall. There is a little deli in there that I have never had a chance to go to. I am not sure why, since it's half a mile away and within easy walking distance. But I had never made it in until last week. I had just finished teaching a class without having had lunch firs. I was hungry, tired, crabby, and needed parts at the hardware before I could go home. The MiniVampire just could not manage unless I brought home a laser level. As if I needed any more tools.

So I stopped at the deli, put in my order, went to the hardware, and went back for my food. I ate the sandwich in the car, even though I only had to go half a mile home. It was roast beef. It was very, very rare.

I returned this week after a class since again I forgot to eat first. I told them that I had been there the week before and had a roast beef sandwich and that it had been very, very rare.

The guy behind the counter started to stammer. Uh, well, gee...hm.....

Then I said, "It was one of the best sandwiches I ever had. I want another."

His smile was priceless.