Slice of Life: The Wild West? 11 of 31
For the month of March, I'll be writing with the Slice of Life community. Disclaimer: I'll be writing every day so the writing will be a bit unpolished most days. Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community together and for inspiring me to try to find the stories that surround me each day.
I shouldn't have stopped, to begin with, that afternoon. There's really no need to have a burrito and taco supreme at this point in my life. The excessive calories just don't disappear like they once did.
I shouldn't have stopped, but I did.
After placing my order, I sat down to wait for my food to be ready. There were several people standing and waiting as well. The drive-through was also busy so it seemed to be taking forever. That's when I noticed it: a man to my left with a gun on his hip. Surely I was mistaken I told myself trying not to stare. I took a second look. Nope, for sure, a gun on his hip.
I became very uncomfortable. I live in the midwest, guns for hunting are a pretty common thing and I'm quite sure most of my neighborhood probably has a gun tucked away in their house for extra protection. However, a gun in a restaurant just wasn't making me feel comfortable. I'm too familiar with the thinking these days shared by many; this gun might save us all from the next one that comes into the establishment, but I don't share in that thinking. I saw this gun as increasing the likelihood that something could go wrong quickly.
At the moment I realized the man had a gun, I should've left. I should've asked for my money back or, for that matter, I should have just kissed that $5 goodbye. Afterall, I shouldn't have stopped anyway, but the cashier had been so kind earlier and I didn't want to make a scene - though my blood was starting to boil. I moved to the other side of the restaurant, keeping my eye on this man with a gun.
Oddly, this isn't the first time I've experienced a man with a gun in an establishment on my side of town. It wasn't all that long ago that the same thing happened as I was having coffee with a friend. I've done a little research to learn we have an open carry law in our state, as do most others. Who knew? Well, apparently, everyone but me. I've lived a long time and not seen a gun come into a place on someone's hip, but these are different times. I suppose it is fear that makes this our new reality. I'm starting to wonder if this is the reality everywhere, or just where I live.
I've decided that in the future when I see a gun on a hip, I'm making it standard procedure to leave. Sadly I may not have many rights in this situation, but I do have the right to leave. If I would have had a child with me, I wouldn't have thought twice, I just would've left. It's 2018, not the wild west, and I didn't really need that burrito.
I shouldn't have stopped, but I did.
After placing my order, I sat down to wait for my food to be ready. There were several people standing and waiting as well. The drive-through was also busy so it seemed to be taking forever. That's when I noticed it: a man to my left with a gun on his hip. Surely I was mistaken I told myself trying not to stare. I took a second look. Nope, for sure, a gun on his hip.
I became very uncomfortable. I live in the midwest, guns for hunting are a pretty common thing and I'm quite sure most of my neighborhood probably has a gun tucked away in their house for extra protection. However, a gun in a restaurant just wasn't making me feel comfortable. I'm too familiar with the thinking these days shared by many; this gun might save us all from the next one that comes into the establishment, but I don't share in that thinking. I saw this gun as increasing the likelihood that something could go wrong quickly.
At the moment I realized the man had a gun, I should've left. I should've asked for my money back or, for that matter, I should have just kissed that $5 goodbye. Afterall, I shouldn't have stopped anyway, but the cashier had been so kind earlier and I didn't want to make a scene - though my blood was starting to boil. I moved to the other side of the restaurant, keeping my eye on this man with a gun.
Oddly, this isn't the first time I've experienced a man with a gun in an establishment on my side of town. It wasn't all that long ago that the same thing happened as I was having coffee with a friend. I've done a little research to learn we have an open carry law in our state, as do most others. Who knew? Well, apparently, everyone but me. I've lived a long time and not seen a gun come into a place on someone's hip, but these are different times. I suppose it is fear that makes this our new reality. I'm starting to wonder if this is the reality everywhere, or just where I live.
I've decided that in the future when I see a gun on a hip, I'm making it standard procedure to leave. Sadly I may not have many rights in this situation, but I do have the right to leave. If I would have had a child with me, I wouldn't have thought twice, I just would've left. It's 2018, not the wild west, and I didn't really need that burrito.
Oh Cathy. This is why I don't want to move back to America, let alone the mid-west.
ReplyDeleteWow! A lot of restaurants post and places of business post a no firearms sign on the entrance doors. I don’t blame you for wanting to leave at all. I think I will adopt the same mantra.
ReplyDeleteThere was a moment when I thought, I guess maybe hoped, this was fiction. I went back and reread, hopeful, it was fiction. Truly I did. Funny what our brains do to protect ourselves. You truly built the tension and turning point in this slice. I went from laughing about calories and saying "carpe diem" to you in my head, to worrying it might be your last diem. This was really well crafted, I am glad you are ok, I hope you savored your burrito, and I still wish it was fiction.
ReplyDeleteClare
Oh, my! What a reality check. I love that you are committed to your right to leave. You have the choice. You took me my emotions on a bit of a ride. I was thinking about your struggle to eat or not and then, with a few words, I was worrying about you and thinking about what I would do. Such great writing!
ReplyDeleteWow, that would have thrown me. Yes, I know our state has an open-carry law, but there still aren't many people around who actually do it. At least, none that I've encountered. I hope that today is less eventful for you! ~JudyK
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! And more than a little disturbing! I think your new policy is perfect. However, I also wonder how you can notify the place that you are leaving because people have guns. I think they should know they are losing business!
ReplyDeleteWhat a scary moment for you. I think I would have just frozen. I'm so glad it worked out all right, but like you, I see this as more of a possible problem than solution. Wow.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't the wild west and I found your encounter quite disturbing. I guess I should look around for things like this more. Thanks for making me aware and safe.
ReplyDeleteMy heart was racing as I read this. I have had very few encounters with guns in public but they always make me feel less safe. I saw a guy digging a hole in his front yard with one in his hip. I ran by on an otherwise leisurely walk. I’m glad you are ok and I love the new plan.
ReplyDelete