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Show 215 "Is there anything else I can help you with?" he is asking, looking me in the eye, and I realize he is sincere. He is asking if I was able to access everything I needed. I like this kid - he is not afraid of me. I wish there were more like him in businesses everywhere. "Nope," I reply, "this is all I need." Though I do wish I needed more. Much more. I do wish that I could afford all these things - the soft sleeping bags, the backpacks, the boots - and I deeply wish that I had frequent use for it all. I would like to be camping. A mother with her boisterous young family has come banging through the door and quickly notice Rex and I immediately consciously relax my body as thoroughly as possible. I know it is time for me to leave. Quickly. And on my own power, before I am startled by their innocent exuberance. I am always amazed at the coincidences of the unexpected that my very presence seems to cause - shelves loaded with canned goods that topple one aisle over from me on my only visit to the store in six months; public address systems that seemingly only squeal when I am present; even electrical transformers on tall poles that explode in a massive series of pops and bangs as we drive by. Virginia is waiting in the car for me to finish my errand and gets out to put the chair into the back of her SUV as I transfer. Rex scrambles into the back seat. "Did you find it?" she is asking and I nod my head in response, taking the red bag from its sack and holding it up for her to examine. |