several years ago, we were driving home from high school one day. well, ‘I’ wasn’t really “driving” home, it was my mum (she worked at the school we went to, so she drove us to and from school daily. it was a private school–uniform and everything.)

so anyway, my mom has this thing about ‘big gulp’ sodas from sevvy’s(7-11). she pulls into a crowded parking lot at an on-the-way-home 7-11. she tells me to get out and get her a soda, cuz she’s been cravin’ some carbonation all day. i have to admit, it was pretty warmish that day, and some fizz would hit the spot, even though we’d be thirsty 5 minutes later. Anyway, i was glad they had air conditioning in the store.
okay, so i get her the big gulp of sprite and i buy my bro, sis and me a lil’ som’ som’ also. and like i said earlier, the place was for some reason–crowded. i think it was like lottery day and all the mexicans were out, i dunno….
ANYWAY
…so i’m waiting in line behind this older man in his early 40s. this guy keeps turning around and looking at me….strangely. i get kinda awkward cuz i don’t what to do: scowl back? smile? i think looking away while keeping a ‘corner-of-my-eye’ look at him. but i notice he’s kinda looking at me as if he’s puzzled.
so i thought it might be because i had my uniform on. we were coming home from school, and we hadn’t changed yet so maybe he was wondering about it. i was thinking that maybe he was wondering why on God’s green earth would this young kid be dressed in a horribly mismatched ensemble of black shoes, blue trousers, white collared shirt, tie, and a forest green sweater covering? What kind of sick person would make this kid go out in public like this? huh!!?? answer me!! oh…….um…..
BUT I DIGRESS…

…so the line’s moving slow and the guy finally turns and says to me…

–”i know you’re probably wondering why i keep looking at you.
i’m sorry, it’s just that you look so much like my son.”

so then i don’t really respond, i just kinda go “okay” in my head and wonder if anyone else is listening to the conversation and then out loud i say “oh…” then the guy says…

–”…he died in a car accident last year.” his eyes welled in tears.
“i really miss him and you just remind me so much of him.
just like him.”

he really was hurting. and at that moment, i felt horrible that i was thinking those other things.

–”…i was wondering if maybe when i leave, as i’m going out the door,
that maybe you could just say….”bye dad” as i walk out? would that
be too much to ask?”

aw man, i felt so sorry for the dude. it was a really strange, sad request, but i said ‘sure’.

so anyway, as the guy’s going to the register, i’m thinking about life and death and how hard it is to lose someone and all that…and i lay my sodas down on the counter, and as the guy walks towards the door with his bags….i kinda get nervous and embarrassed…but i manage to give a little wave and say “Bye Dad.”

the man smiles and leaves. 

“That’ll be 34.50 please.”

i look at the register dude in shock. Wha? 34 dollars? “i only have a couple o’ sodas!”

“well, you’re dad said that you’d pick up the tab.” said the register dude.

“What?!? no! wait! no!” so i run outside after the dude. he’s gettin into a little ford taurus, i can see my mum/family looking at me quizzically, and i yell at the guy…”Hey! Wait! what are you doing! I’m not paying for that!”
……
The guy hurries. and i get to his car, but like an idiot, in front of a few people in the parking lot, i trip over my own stupid shoelaces and fall at this guy’s feet right as he’s about to get into the car. i didn’t know what else to do…what could i do?? all i could think of was to grab hold of his leg.
so i just kept pulling and pulling on his leg like i’m pulling yours. (!)

aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhahahh hah ha ha ha ha ah ha ha ha ah!!!!!
woohoo! that was a good one yes? if you actually made it this far, i want to congratz you my friend–you are a trooper.