No, We Are Not Okay

This blog has been sitting with me for a week as I decide whether or not to publish it. I use words to open the doors of our minds to fascinating concepts and to reveal stories that churn within me. Most of my blogs have been quirky satirical looks at a topic, but this one is about an experience that irked me to no end. I finally chose to share it.

I was in a big box store a few weeks ago waiting in the self-check line and struck up a conversation with a lovely older couple. Note: my wife calls me the Shopping Line Mayor. She says I will talk to anyone about anything at any time. Anyway, my turn came up and I progressed to the open register. As luck would have it the one directly next to me freed up and the aforementioned couple started towards it. Suddenly, a twenty-something-year-old man darted in front of them, nearly knocking the elderly man to the floor.

To my surprise the aged man barked. “Excuse me Sir, you’ll have to wait your turn like the rest of us.”
The rude scruff-faced jerk demanded. “Get back old man. I’m in a rush. You got nowhere to be.” He then raised an open hand.

I could not let this happen. Fully aware of my own age, I moved closer. The younger man turned to me and spouted. “Move away now, Fatso. This isn’t your problem.”

I felt my temperature rise and the muscles in my arms and chest hadn’t tightened like that since I was seventeen. I wasn’t a brawler then nor am I now. But that day… that day, every inch of burned. I responded. “I think you just made it my problem.”

The older man seeing my larger girth and height quietly side-stepped behind me. I was about to move forward when out of nowhere two much larger men grabbed the punk by the arms and lifted off the ground. They quickly identified themselves as store security.  A third security office explained that they had watched the whole thing unfold and thanked me for stepping in.
As they manhandled him away from the checkout area the man yelled. “I be outside waiting for the three of you!”

I saw the worry on the older couple’s faces and assured them I would walk them out. It bothered me that part of me wanted him to be waiting in the parking lot. I continued to check out and to question my nature of who I had become. The older couple offered to pay form my groceries but I could let them do that. I felt the release of primal anger and the return of human decency with their gesture.
When we got to the parking lot one of the security officers was still out there. “Don’t worry, we made sure he left.”
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I stood with the officer as the older couple walked to their car. They looked around with each step, obviously still shaken by the ordeal.  “What happened to us? Where are headed? They’re an old couple.”
He looked at me. “Happens all the time. And at least you where here to help this time.”
I got in my car and the only thought that came to mind was: No, we are no okay.