[swolf]

Today, as I was crossing the street after leaving work (I work downtown) a woman approached me and asked if I could help her.

I said sure, and she proceeded to tell me her mother was in the hospital, and she needed to see her, but she didn't have the money to get her car out of the parking lot.  She almost teared up as she told me this.

"How much do you need?" I asked.

"Eighteen seventy-five, minus a dollar," she replied.  I winced.

"I'll pay you back," she said, "I promise."

"Let me check my wallet."  I had nineteen dollars.  I gave her eighteen.

She pulled out her cell phone.  "What's your number?" she asked, "We can meet tomorrow."

I pulled out my cell phone.  "I don't have my number memorized," I said.

"Just call me," she said, so your number will be in my phone's memory.  She gives me her number and I do that.

"Are you free at lunch?" she asked.

I remembered that my coworkers and I were planning to go to a lunchtime concert tomorrow in a downtown park.  I tell her this.

"Great," she said, "I'll meet you there."  Then she gives me a hug and thanks me.

So, am I going to see her tomorrow?

 

[swolf]

She wasn't dressed like a homeless person, and didn't act like one.  Of course, it could have been an act.

But yeah, I gave it to her knowing there was a good chance I wouldn't see her again.

 

[swolf]

Find a way to turn it into a story, and get your money back that way.

I actually thought of that. While it was happening, I was thinking, is this woman trying to scam me (out of more than $1?

As I was thinking of ways she could do it, it occurred to me that would be a good story.

And she can call me all she wants, she's not getting more.

 

[swolf]

Went to the park.  No woman, and no call.  (And no concert, but that's a different story.)

Oh well.

 

[swolf]

Give her a call.

I'll probably text her in a few days. I guess it's possible she's dealing with mother issues today, and I don't want to be a jerk about it.