Come for Blueberry Pancakes
#Columbus
#Age: 55
#Date: 3/18/2018
Today I took my usual Sunday morning stroll through downtown Columbus. As I was walking through the business district, which is largely deserted on weekends, I overtook a man in his mid twenties. Although I normally feel safe in that part of town, I occasionally find myself regarding people with a little bit of suspicion.
He was wearing a baseball cap and an old worn coat. He was ambling along slowly with a slight limp and held is right arm across his chest. I felt a tinge of apprehension as from behind he looked like the sort who might pester for a handout, perhaps aggressively so.
As I passed him he yelled "Hey!"
I looked back and saw that he had a huge smile and his face was the absolute picture of child like innocence. He had picked up his pace to keep up with me.
"Do you want to come over for blueberry waffles?" His voice all enthusiasm in anticipation of a great treat.
I said "Thank you, but I can't."
"But blueberry waffles!" he said smiling. "Yum!"
I wondered if his lived somewhere among the tall office buildings or further away. Perhaps there was some sort of home within a few blocks.
I said, "It sounds great, but I really can't."
He then grabbed a wad of cash from his pocket and held it out to me. "Do you want some money?" his voice all charity and friendship.
I said "No, you should keep it."
"Oh come on," he said still holding out the cash, "You need it more than me."
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
He still held out the cash looking pleadingly at me.
"No really, I don't need it. You should keep it"
He started to drop behind me. I glanced back and saw him looking dejectedly down at the ground. "I'm just trying to be nice" he said sullenly.
"You are very nice. I just have to go. I hope you have a very nice day"
I walked on hoping that nobody would take advantage of him. I do hope he has a nice day.
#Age: 55
#Date: 3/18/2018
Today I took my usual Sunday morning stroll through downtown Columbus. As I was walking through the business district, which is largely deserted on weekends, I overtook a man in his mid twenties. Although I normally feel safe in that part of town, I occasionally find myself regarding people with a little bit of suspicion.
He was wearing a baseball cap and an old worn coat. He was ambling along slowly with a slight limp and held is right arm across his chest. I felt a tinge of apprehension as from behind he looked like the sort who might pester for a handout, perhaps aggressively so.
As I passed him he yelled "Hey!"
I looked back and saw that he had a huge smile and his face was the absolute picture of child like innocence. He had picked up his pace to keep up with me.
"Do you want to come over for blueberry waffles?" His voice all enthusiasm in anticipation of a great treat.
I said "Thank you, but I can't."
"But blueberry waffles!" he said smiling. "Yum!"
I wondered if his lived somewhere among the tall office buildings or further away. Perhaps there was some sort of home within a few blocks.
I said, "It sounds great, but I really can't."
He then grabbed a wad of cash from his pocket and held it out to me. "Do you want some money?" his voice all charity and friendship.
I said "No, you should keep it."
"Oh come on," he said still holding out the cash, "You need it more than me."
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
He still held out the cash looking pleadingly at me.
"No really, I don't need it. You should keep it"
He started to drop behind me. I glanced back and saw him looking dejectedly down at the ground. "I'm just trying to be nice" he said sullenly.
"You are very nice. I just have to go. I hope you have a very nice day"
I walked on hoping that nobody would take advantage of him. I do hope he has a nice day.
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