The Panhandler

I deposited a cheque in the ATM last night at my regular bank. It was already dark, a bit of a drizzle, so Brandon wanted to wait in the Hummer in the parking lot, which is not visible from the cash machine. But, I always lock the doors and I know Brandon is familiar with stranger-danger and all that.

As I deposited my envelope I saw him walking across the street. "Please, God, please don't make him speak to me", but I knew just by the way he was dressed, his eyes on mine and me diverting my glances would not stop him from approaching.

So he stood and waited beside me until I looked at him again.

"Lady, can you spare some change, I haven't had anything to eat".

There I am with my bank card in the machine, a withdrawal of money still clicking away inside it, which clearly indicates a dispense of 20's only, and I've suddenly felt a rage, a flaming fire of fury erupting from my toes, straight up to my gut and out through my mouth:

"How dare you! How dare you ask for money from someone standing at an ATM machine....How dare you!"

"Just some change so I can eat" as his 300 lb frame jiggles up and down in anticipation of receiving a 20 dollar bill.

At the top of my lungs I screamed, "get the fuck away from me, how dare you ask for money...YOU'RE GOING TO ROB ME, AHHHHHHHHH".

I have never seen a panhandler run away from me so fast. Except, he runs to the Hummer and begins to knock on the window, figuring Brandon might have some change.

Well, that was enough. I noticed there was someone still in the bank, so I began banging on the glass door, yelling for assistance to walk me to my vehicle.

A bank employee and a security guard escorted me to the parking lot, as panhandler strolled off to a lady walking in the lot, by herself, in the dark. Geez. I mean, this guy was creepy.

I hate Surrey. I really, really do. And there has been a noticeable increase of panhandlers, drifters and rehabilitation complexes being approved by City Council....cripes, you can't even go to the liquor store without seeing a panhandler passed out near the door, cardboard sign pleading for money, or a shopping mall, or Safeway...always a beggar wanting the loonie from your shopping cart.

When I got home I felt really bad about the whole thing, mostly because if he'd ask me anywhere else other than an ATM, I would have tossed him some change, like I always do. I wish I could have told him that, but I think I scared the crap out of him.

This morning I got my period, which explains the flaming fire of fury. Poor guy. Poor timing.