My New Friend Tony

I was running errands on the 2nd of July headed to Walgreens with a FedEx return. I needed to return two pairs of Sp5der shorts I purchased for my nephew. He liked the tops but not the shorts so back to Sp5der they go.

I was behind a rather slow-moving mid-size SUV. The driver turned into Walgreens without signaling. A pet peeve of mine. I gave the driver a small beep.

I parked and made my way into Walgreens, delivered my packages to the FedEx counter and headed back out. I saw the driver of the vehicle heading inside. He was elderly, hunched over and walking very slowly. It’s 95 degrees outside on the shore. In other words, it’s really hot and there is a heat advisory, in particular for those vulnerable members of the community.

I was immediately disappointed with myself. Why can I not be more patient? As I see the elderly man approaching, I am worried about his well-being. He is not even close to the entry of the Walgreens.

I wait for him. I ask him if he needs any help. He thanked me and told me how kind I am. Little does he know I gave him the gentle beep (or maybe he did know and he was being a bigger person – note to self Ava!). He starts to tell me about a plug that he needs that goes from the car to the house. I am not quite sure what he is talking about and at this point we are at the front of the store so I suggest we go inside, where I can hear him and where it is cool.

I apologize and inquire how I might help him. Again, he goes into a discussion about a plug from the car to the house and he stated a place in Westbrook provides this service. I am trying to figure out exactly what it is that he needs. I thought perhaps he needed a car charger for an electric vehicle however I saw his car, and it is not an EV. He told me there was a place in Westbrook that provides this service. I asked him if he had anyone that could look up this information for him and he told me he was all alone. This crushed me. I told him to wait for me while I went to my car to retrieve my phone to help him look up the information. Upon returning inside Walgreens, I find my elderly friend waiting for me. (Did I mention he had a tube of toothpaste in his hand. Perhaps he was planning to pick up another tube). I have my phone and a notepad and a pen.  I asked my friend if he is looking for an electric vehicle car charger hook up installation. He seemed to indicate yes and that there was a place in Westbrook that installs these connector cables. Again, he spoke softly and was slightly hunched over, and I felt terribly asking him to continue to repeat himself.

I google cable connectors and Westbrook. I am unable to find a company in Westbrook providing these services however I see that Absolute Air comes up as an option. I told him that Absolute Air installed a heat pump in our home and that I believe they may be able to help him install an EV charger.

I wrote down Absolute Air on the piece of paper along with the number for Absolute Air. I also wrote down my name and phone number and told him to call me if he had any other questions or if he was not able to get through to Absolute Air. I told him I would help him find the correct company. I finally then asked for his name. He told me Tony. Tony (last name with a C and it was Italian). I said – Oh Italiano, Io parlo Italiano.

I told Tony to hold on to the piece of paper and to call me if he needed me for anything. I said, “Don’t lose that piece of paper.” He promised me he would not. I told him to have a good day and to stay cool.

I went to my car, and I waited for Tony to get to his car. He eventually emerged from Walgreens. I waited for him to get into his car and drive out of Walgreens. I then departed and saw him head north on Route 1 and turn left by Moon Shots, once again failing to signal.

I have not heard from my friend Tony. I wish I had asked for his number. I worry about him getting from Point A to Point B and I worry that he might be alone for the holidays.

Maybe I will see him again at Walgreens and I can check in on him, my new friend Tony.

Sweet Dreams,

Ava

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