"You're not thinking of crashing through that, are you?"
I'd seen him a few moments before. The manic energy and the clothes he wore spoke of psychological issues.
He powered up one aisle, down another, approached the main door (with their two security guards) and swerved away.
Curious, I looked for him, and found him staring at the fire exit.
It was nothing to do with me. I could have looked away, bought my own shopping, and gone home. And he might have been arrested for shoplifting.
And, what did I think he was contemplating stealing? A trifle, and a pack of gaming cards...
I asked. And he swung round.
"It's just that... I'm not sure if I have any money!"
In the course of those few words, his tone went from confusion to desperation.
"Well, come with me," I said, indicating a basket with nothing in it I really needed. "We'll add them to this lot."
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Are you really sure?"
He shifted nervously from foot to foot as the shopping was scanned and paid for.
I gave him his things. He said a sincere thank you, and fled.
Either because he left so quickly or because they had been looking out for him, one security guards ran after him and dragged him back.
"I've got him!" I shouted to the second guard. "Those are paid for!"
They let him go. But they weren't impressed. Perhaps he was a regular. Perhaps his problems are often problems for others. But, I couldn't help feeling sorry for him. I'd heard the panic in his voice. How distressed do you have to be before you will risk being arrested for a trifle and a pack of cards?
Things have been tight for us recently. Money is far from plentiful. But I don't have his demons living in my head. For that, and for all of my many other blessings, I was glad to be able to say, in that moment, "I've got him!"
(Photo by Timothy Tsui on Creative Commons)
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