I'm writing this pumped full of adrenaline. I just went to the supermarket to buy some dog food and you know, I was thinking about how maybe it's the last dog food I would buy and then trying to erase it from my mind because I just hate going to that place. I got in line at the express lane and saw the Enquirer, funny how I never noticed the Enquirer here before, but there was Oprah on the cover with a very unflattering fatty picture of herself and something about Stedman, what he's gay now, who knew......I refused to pick up the rag though, honestly you will not see me actually reading such a thing. I stood feeling irritated at the guy in front of me as he fished coins out of his pocket to pay for his gallon of water. He was probably homeless I figured, but that doesn't excuse you from not being prepared with your money when it's your turn. A young guy got in line behind me with sunglasses on, what a loser I started to think and then thought "shame on me" for being so judgmental today. It's only because my dog's dying that I'm feeling so cranky I told myself. Finally it was my turn and I paid and as I was walking out, I stopped to look at the credit card application for the market, see I've been thinking about switching since the "miles" card I have seems like such a scam what with the annual fee and the difficulty of actually being able to use the miles. Then I heard some hubbub and I turned to see the guy who had been behind me in line running toward me and the exit with a wad of cash in his hands. I instinctively tried to block his way. I did not see the knife in his hand. He seemed not to believe my audacity when I lunged for him and he gave me his best punch in the chest but I gave chase. He tried to break through the window pane to get out while screaming at me to get out of the way. With all my might I threw the cans of dog food at him but he ducked, I missed and he got to the exit door and took off across the lot. I didn't go after him and he was clear across the lot before an employee went after him. The cashier was in tears and the homeless guy, who oddly was still milling about, started telling me how stupid I was, that the guy had had a knife and I was lucky he didn't cut my throat. I clutched my chest and lifted up my shirt to make sure he hadn't stabbed me without me realizing it due to shock. Thank god he hadn't . And what a moron I truly am, I started to think. But it wasn't really rational thinking, it was just instinct. The me I don't even know simply said, "No, you will not do this."
I waited around while the manager was calling the police and when I heard him say, "What? The police don't come for a robbery?" I decided to go home. They don't need any witnesses if the police aren't coming. I'll tell you this, the robber and I shall never forget each other's face.
I'm sure it was drugs, what else would drive someone to rob a supermarket like that? The cashier said she thought he got $80. In a way, I kinda feel sorry for him. On the other hand, I think he might have fractured a rib or two of mine, it's really tender and painful now.
When I got home, the pile of cigarettes beseeched me from their perch on the counter but I stood strong. I acknowledged the desire for a cigarette and then reminded myself that the way I was feeling would not be altered by having one. So I didn't. Woo-hoo for me.
I've got to stop moaning about having nothing to write about. I don't like how the universe is answering that particular gripe.
45 comments:
Holy shit! Glad you are ok.
Your instincts are good, but next time you should stick your leg out to trip him up, or find another way that uses the element of surprise.
And instead of cigarettes, have you tried booze?
Holy sheetz! I think I'd have stuck to trying to bean him with a can, but yeah, you don't usually think those sorts of things through when the adrenaline starts going. Unless you have osteoporosis or he was exceptionally strong, you probably don't have cracked ribs, but I can imagine you'd be pretty bruised.
HOLY SHIT!
Not stupid at all... I'm glad you are safe.
My gosh, I'm glad you're okay. What an incredible protective response you had. You did what you could to prevent him from getting away. You have my great respect for your gut reaction; but please don't get hurt.
So glad you are OK! As my DIL says "Thank god for my boring life."
I do love my boring life, I do love my boring life. You are so very brave Torn. The Police don't come to a robbery? Perhaps there is a bit too much crime in the area. Be careful. ed
I've been in three bank robberies and they are crazy - very similar to how you describe it. But bankers are always taught - give him what he wants and let the police chase him. Glad you are ok!
wow. i'm glad you weren't seriously hurt!
what's that curse? may you live in interesting times?
*smooches*
WOW! Brave man. Stupid, but brave nonetheless. Hope the ribs are okay.
HUGS...
Holy Shit.
I kind of fantasize about getting the chance to act heroic like that, but I imagine the reality is a bit different. Maybe I ought to temper those thoughts before the universe decides to test me on that one.
Wow - glad you are OK - and glad you took the action you did -- it is becoming more rare that people step up for what is the right thing to do if it does not impact their lives in an immediate way - others may have stepped aside and said "not my problem" - and it was instinctual - so you can see your true core values. And to think - would not have happened if it were not for good ole Sara - Glad you are OK and very commendable
Aaron
I add my voice to the chorus of those expressing their relief that you are ok.
Although it was dangerous and although we might all think you were crazy fro having tried to stop the thief, yet still there is a voice within me that wants to commend you fro trying to do something to stop him. Perhaps if the rest of us stopped "not getting involved" and took some action (such as vividly remembering the face/clothes/etc. of the perpetrator) our world would eventually be a safer place for us all.
Ultimately I am glad for your safety, but I also want to be one to express thanks to you for willing to risk your safety.
Wouldn't that have been something if you'd have KO'ed him with your dog food? Christ, you'd have probably been charged with aggravated assault! Close one!
The world needs more people to step in, like you did. Then people like that wouldn't think that they can get away with shit.
Wow...I don't know what I would have done. I initially thought Wow, crime in Canada..whoda thunk it???? Here in the good, old USA, the same thing happens, but here the robbers have guns and someone could be shot for a pittance. Glad you and everyone else is OK, hope your ribs are alright. My thoughts will be with you over the week-end.
You forgot your training, you have to spin around 3 times first and then you become Wonder Woman. Ha!
I am glad that you weren't seriously hurt, but the fractured ribs are still pretty painful. Instead of a cigarette, you deserve to give yourself something special. Or, even better, Spouse should give you something special.
I imagine a very awkward scene when this young man shows up to try to rent one of your apartments.
Congrats on resisting the cigarette. The appropriate drug for this situation (and every other situation) is chocolate.
It's awesome that you didn't give in to your temporary craving after such a stressful situation. You're truly creating a new pathway in your brain. The whole stimulus/response thing is being rewired and that's amazing! Good for you.
I'm relieved you're safe.
Congrats in staying smoke thnree through this stressful ordeal. You are absolutely right that smoking would not have made you feel better.
I saw "it all happened in two minutes" and already started to tear up because I thought it would be about Sara...but HOLY SHIT.
You know you're a good person when you make a moral decision in a split second like that. Good for you, and I am glad you're mostly physically OK.
Maybe a little spring training with a local baseball team would help improve your pitching abilities. Man, I swear, you have all of the fun. I've found myself in the middle of three grocery store shoplifting episodes.... weird how life brings us to THAT point at THAT particular time.
The Universe provided you with a completely justifiable physical outlet for your anger regarding your dog. Your analysis of your feelings just prior to the incident is impressive. That you weren't seriously damaged is the good news, of course. It's not worth the money stolen.
neighbors will hear is correct. Chocolate is exactly what you need. Consider chocolate ice cream. That's double treatment. Congrats for stopping to think that cigarettes will not change how you feel.
That you instinctively tried to stop the guy says much about your character. What's up with the police not coming for a robbery?? What the hell are they there for, then? Is robbery no longer a crime? Everyone in the store who was affected by the robbery thinks it is a crime, I'm sure.
Well at least you learned something if you want to take $80 from the supermarket....the police won't respond...All kidding aside, I'm glad that you are OK and that you weren't injured. Now go home and play it safe!
I'm so glad you didn't get injured too badly. What color superhero cape would you like?
Scary! I'm glad you are alright. I would have been sucking down cigarettes like there was no tomorrow after something like that.
OMG! I almost typed "how brave of you", but then remembered you wrote that it wasn't actually bravery but instinct that took over. If it were me, I believe my instinct would have been to get the hell out of his way, because I'm not very brave.
Congrats on being smarter than your craving, and NOT having a cig!
Mark :-)
I think you were indeed very brave - to process all the stress that resulted from your "instinct" WITHOUT having a cigarette. I'm so very impressed!!
Omg, that was a close call. :S But I guess the good thing is you now know how you would react instinctively. But touch wood for no more dangerous situations like that. You only need that once in a lifetime.
I'm glad you are okay, next time you know what to do.
I've been told many times that your life is not worth the money stolen.
You did good, but instinct will always do that to you. Glad your okay.
Give Sara a hug and kiss for me, because she (and you, along with Serge) are in my thoughts.
:-)
I like your instincts. Perhaps some martial arts classes are in order in case you get in another situation.
I am truly relieved you are okay. I hope your tender spots are just muscular injuries and not bonular.
And excellent job avoiding the ciggies.
*hugs* (being mindful of sore spots)
It's a damned shame you didn't clock him with the dog food. Good for you for trying. Hope your ribs feel better soon you hero, you.
WOW!! Totally missed this post yesterday! Super-Torn, you're my hero! Sure, you should've stopped and thought more about your own safety, but perhaps if more of us actually stood up to such things, it'd happen a little less.
Shame you weren't able to bean him with a can. That woulda been great.
Glad you are okay, and that you didn't celebrate your newfound machismo with a cigarette.
See? I'm convinced that working in a grocery store is dangerous. Last night Laura shouted over to me that some black guy was walking out the door with two cases of beer and her sure was. "Get him!" she yelled. Me? I ran after him, but that was about it. (Ignore racist tendencies.)
Wow! That's scary, amazing, ridiculous, crazy and foolhardy all in one swell foop!
Well done for having a go, but next time check out the weapon first, eh?
And the police not coming out for a robbery? Shame on them.
I wonder how Serge responded to your act of heroism. My Bill was once held up at gunpoint and, while he wasn't hurt, I was a mess after I heard the story.
Mind you, I'm a total wimp.
You're a hero in my book!!!!
I once saved a lady from choking to death in the mall. I vowed I'd never do that again too.
Glad you're ok. It is amazing how one can react when not even thinking about it. You have a strong character regarding what is right and wrong and this fellow was not going to get away with it. Too many people stand by the wayside and watch a crime being committed or someone being attacked and do nothing. I think you should be commended for your heroics.
Jesus Christ on a bicycle. I'm away from the blogs for a week and this happens? I hope you're feeling better, dear Torn, and the ribs turned out just to be bruised, not cracked. Those are some reflexes you have, my friend. To go through that, then have the strength of will NOT to succumb to the cigarettes, I think that impresses me most of all. I second/third/fifth the suggestion that you do something special for yourself, perhaps something involving a spa. Something soothing. Since I'm writing this on Saturday, maybe you're doing something right now. I hope so.
Funny how your post reminded me of my last trip to the market here in MA. That is where the similarity ends however, as here in sleepy Buttfuck Nowhere New England there seems to be zero crime - we don't lock the cars on the office car park, I occasionally forget to lock the front door and nothing ever happens. Thank heavens for quick-thinking people like you for trying to DO something, rather than be just another innocent bystander. Oh... and give my love to Montreal...
you crazy! who cares about the supermarket! you are getting too macho in your old age! why don't you go buy a muscle car!
don't smoke cigs there are plenty of other ways to self medicate that you actually work...........
xxx
d
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