I did something last Saturday I have never done before. I offered an unsolicited ride, to a teenager, in my car. I have been thinking about it, off and on, ever since, trying to figure out if my decision was good or bad and being frustrated by the fact that it is so difficult to tell the difference.
I was walking into K-Mart and noticed a young man, in his mid to upper teens, walking out of the store carrying a large, boxed television. He had bought sheets of birthday wrapping paper and tape.
Outside the main store entrance he paused to wrap the box with the happy birthday paper.
I purchased the items I needed and left. While driving north on Main Street, I noticed the boy walking toward downtown, struggling with the box. I stopped at another store for a few things. I left and headed for the dry cleaners.
The teenager with the big box was still heading up Main Street. By now, he had switched to carrying the TV set on top of his head.
It was getting hot and it appeared that the long walk with the heavy load was starting to take a toll.
I pulled into a corner business parking lot, stepped out and asked
the teenager if he would like a ride to wherever he was headed. I could immediately see, by the look on his face, that he was dealing with a dilemma. He was hot and tired of carrying that box, but I was a complete stranger. After a moment he said, “I don”t think it would be a good idea.” I told him Iunderstood.
At that moment I noticed the Colorado license plates on my car. That probably didn”t make him feel comfortable. I quickly added that even though I have out-ofstate tags I recently moved here to manage the newspaper. I reiterated that he would not offend me by not accepting the ride, but I assured him that if he did, he and the box would be safe.
Sweat, triggered by the July heat, was streaming down his face from under his hair. He said, “You seem like a person I can trust. I”ll take the ride.”
We loaded the large box in the back of my Jeep and got in. He appeared to be a little nervous when I pushed the button to raise the passenger side window. I had lowered it, expecting to talk to him from the driver”s seat, but I decided it would be better if I got out so he could see me. I had to reassure him that the air conditioner was on and explain why I had lowered the window. That seemed to calm him.
He said he was staying at the Anchorage Inn Resort. A few minutes later I pulled up in front. He said, “It would have taken me a long time to get here carrying that television set.” I agreed. He asked me if he could pay me and told him the ride was free. He said, “I”m going to tell everyone that the man who manages the newspaper here is a nice guy.” I thanked him.
I have seldom encountered a more pleasant teenager. I failed to ask whose birthday it was, but any young man who would walk to K-Mart from the Anchorage Inn and plan to walk all the way back with a big TV set for a gift is pretty decent, as far as I am concerned.
He said it was the first time he had accepted a ride from a stranger. I said it is not something anyone should regularly do.
I only hope that the positive experience doesn”t cause him to let his guard down in the future. In retrospect, I probably should not have offered him a ride. It is disappointing when taking no action to help a youngster in need is the best choice for an adult to make.
Gary Dickson is publisher of the Observer*American. He may be reached at 263-5636 ext. 24 or e-mail at gdickson@record-bee.com.
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