My Good Nature

I'm not sure what it is about that screams "I am a poor, gullible fool. Take full advantage of me." Maybe it is my face. Or perhaps it is my kind, gentle eyes (at least, that is how others have described them). Whatever it is, I just can't help but let people walk all over my good nature.

I was getting off work today, after a particularly miserable day working at an equally miserable job, when I ran into an older women, evidently in more dire straits than myself. I was at the gas station dutifully pumping away, when she showed up. She was driving some black hatchback. She whipped into the station like a mad woman, as if her car was full of an angry swarm of bees. The woman wasted no time in jumping out of her car and hurrying over to me. She must had been in her early fifties, although, now that I think of it, with today's epidemic of designer drugs, opiates, and methamphetamines, she might have only been twenty-three.

As soon as she was over by me, she began with this sob story about how she had no money and was desperate need of some cash. The bank had locked her out of her account and she was unable to make any purchases, no matter how small. This included making purchases of gas, even though she was evidently in great need of some petrol. She was trying to make it home and if I could spare just five dollars, she would be oh so grateful. Apparently, she had driven from gas station to gas station asking everybody she came to for some help, but none would offer her even a dime.

"Sure," I had said, "I'll help you out."

I reached into my pocket and handed her nine dollars. It was more than she asked for, but I was feeling generous, and if I could help someone else have a better day then, perhaps, my own miserable day will get get a little brighter.

She graciously thanked me for the money. And then, she hopped into her car and drove off, despite the fact that we were at a gas station and she was in such a great need for gas.

I was left cursing after her and, more importantly, for cursing at myself for being so damn gullible in believing this woman's tale. It was just a fantastic way to end an otherwise shitty day. Damn that woman, and her meth-addled, conniving nature.

Oh well. It wasn't the first time I was so blatantly taken advantage of and it certainly won't be the last. I don't have a problem helping anybody out, I just wish I could filter out the con artists a little better.