The Post Office: Best Place in Mojave

I stopped by the post office today (after being gone for a week) and ended up with a few more packages than I expected.  Instead of leaving a few behind so I could come back later, I started trying to load them all into the stroller.  I pulled Zoë out and replaced her with a box of wine.  I stuffed the undercarriage with four boxes in a configuration Tetris aficionados would be proud. Then I balanced one box on top of the canopy.  The last box I'd have to hold under my right arm while I balanced Zoë on my left hip and held June's leash in a combo grip with the stroller handle.

A gentleman coming in as I was leaving asked if he could help.  He offered to grab June and the box I was holding and help me get down the ramp I was failing to navigate.

"Thank you so much.  If you can just get us down this ramp, I'll be fine."

He followed me down and asked where my car was.  I explained I was walking home, but it was only a block and I'd be totally fine.

"Don't be ridiculous. Let me help you.  My dog is in the car, so let's stop, I'll turn on the AC and then I can help you get home."

Having a stranger follow you home in Mojave isn't a decision my husband would approve of, but I couldn't turn down his generosity.

He checked on his dog, grabbed the box of wine and two other boxes so I could put Zoë back in the stroller and then said, "Lead the way."

On the way home he told me about his job, his wife, his commute to LA and the notion that he had done a good deed today so karma would allow him to be a jerk the rest of the day.

Thanks, Mojave.

Flying Money

This morning as I was pulling out of my driveway, there was a car stopped in the middle of the intersection and a woman was starting to get out of the driver's seat.  I slowed down to assess the situation and realized she was frantically running after some money blowing in the wind.

At first, it didn't phase me.  Things blow in the wind ALL. THE. TIME. in Mojave.  Then I thought, "Let it go, lady."  But she stuck with it and I slowly passed by her, smiled and yelled, "Good luck!".

As I made it to the next intersection, I could see in my rearview mirror a man standing on the corner with a wad of money in his hand a bewildered look on his face.

The woman ran back past her car and handed him the money.

Thank you for the surprise act of kindness, citizen of Mojave - the town usually devoid of neighborliness.