Getting Money = Getting a Life?

Walking up to the door of my favorite discount store, I was nearly run over by a car speeding into a nearby handicap parking spot.

My first reaction was anger and thought about staying to give this inconsiderate driver a piece of my mind, and then I saw the handicap license plate. I decided this guy probably had enough problems. “Perhaps he just didn’t see me,” I thought.

Then the driver emerged, showing a toothy smile big enough to remind me of the Cheshire Cat.

I recognized this guy. His name did not come to me immediately, but I knew him.

“Elliott Teters”, he announced as the walked towards me. He stated his name, flashing that gold smile again. “You don’t recognize me do you? I’m looking pretty good, don’t you think?” he continued.

I decided these were rhetorical questions, since he obviously had no interest in my answers.

“Your car?” I asked, pointing to the Caddy which had nearly run me over.

“Yeah. It’s sweet isn’t it?” He answered.

Obviously another rhetorical question, since he continued before I could even nod.

“Got myself a great deal on this baby, this old lady wanted 15K, but I talked her down to 12”. He stated while grinning.

“That’s great. What’s up with the disabled tag?” I inquired.

“I got me a disability.” He said, adding “at least on paper.” Then he winked at me, letting me know that now, I was in on the secret.

“You’re not really disabled?” I asked.

“I get a check. As far as the government is concerned, I am.” He replied and winked again.

I started to remember that I had never really cared for this guy.

“What if someone who really needs that spot comes up and your car is in it?” I asked.

“There are plenty of spaces” he said, sweeping his arm to draw attention to all the empty handicap parking spots.

He had a point.

I kept moving towards the door with my old associate step for step.

“I got myself a lawsuit.” He smiled and said.

“What does that mean, “you got yourself a lawsuit"?" I wondered out loud.

“It means I’m gonna be rich. My lawyer says we gonna be millionaires.” He said flashing that jumbo grin again.

“Well congratulations” I said, picking up my pace. I felt like I really needed to go wash.

“You take care”, I voiced and sped up even more.

“Don’t you want to know what my lawsuit’s about?” he asked.

I thought to myself, “Will you leave me alone if I say yes?”

I said, “Do you want to tell me?”

“It’s a great story.” he started.

“Can you give me the short version?” I pleaded. “I really am in a hurry.”

“It’s a discrimination thing. I got fired because my boss didn’t like brothers.” He said. (He also added where he was fired from, but I will leave that out of this rendition.)

“You actually have proof of this?” I asked.

“Oh, yeah!. This dumb hunky documented his hatred. He actually got fired over the deal, but the ignorance went right on up the line. They only hired me to meet this quota and they let me know right from jumpstreet that they didn’t want me. I knew the day I started, I had myself a lawsuit. I worked for these assholes for 5 years, collecting evidence nearly every day.”

“Well congratulations man. What will you do with your life when you have all that money?” I asked.

I’m jus’ gonna take it easy man; just gonna kick back. I am going to get myself a new house, a couple cool rides and I’m just gonna chill. Yes, sir. It is kick back time for the kid”

I saw a glazed-over look in his eyes and knew he had dropped into the fantasy of his new life. This was my opening to slip away, so off I went. “Good luck man.” I said.

“Hey, Elliott Teters, you were always one of the good guys.” He hollered as I walked away.

"Thanks, man." I replied, almost feeling a twinge of guilt for the judgmental feelings I was having. Then I remembered that over 30 years ago I had believed this guy was one of those people who spent more energy looking for “something for nothing” than he did in living his life in a constructive manner.

I hope, for him, that he discovers peace, along with his newfound wealth. For now, he certainly seems to have an abundance of joy.