Please! Get back in your car.

While in high school in the seventies, I worked a few different jobs. Restaurant busboy, retail sales clerk, child janitor and pick-up station attendant are a few that come to mind. In the latter capacity, I had the task of loading dirty, heavy and awkward items into the trunks of cars, beds of trucks or somehow attatching them to whatever conveyance came through the door. This job was at a family owned hardware chain known as Orchard Supply Hardware.

The building in which we worked was constructed of galvanized steel. It had roll up doors at each end without the benefit of any climate control.
On one particularly sultry and hot Summer Saturday, after only a few weeks on the job, the cars were lined up out the door and halfway across the parking lot. I was loading plastic bags of steer manure into the trunk and rear seat of a Buick when an old man in a brown tweed coat and old man slacks came hobbling up and grabbed a bag of manure and handed it toward me.

Shocked and embarassed, for being so far behind,I blurted, "Sir, I know we are backed up right now, but I don't think our insurance will cover you if you get hurt. Please get back in your car and we will get to you as soon as we can!", as I took the bag from him. Without a word he 'gimped' away.

The following Monday, when I reported to work, I was told to go see Loren Smith. Loren Smith was the Vice President of the company and brother of Al Smith, sons of the founder. As I sat outside Loren's office, all 125 lbs of me was trembling uncontrollably. I didn't know what to expect. The door opened and I stood as another employee, red faced, left in a huff. I almost fainted! I went in.
Loren's face seemed as calm as when he originally interviewed me for the job as he asked me to take a seat.

"So I understand there was an incident in the pick-up station on Saturday, hmm?", Loren began.

"An elderly gentlman tried to help and I asked him to get back in his car. I wasn't trying to be rude, I thought he might get hurt!", I pleaded, fearing this was the end.

"That elderly gentleman is the one who signs your paychecks, son. He is my brother Al Smith."

My mind was racing,"So this is how it ends. This is what it feels like to get the axe. Why didn't I just shut up? I didn't know who he was!"
Loren went on, "He thought your reaction was perfect in that situation and thinks an employee like you would do well inside on the sales floor. I see on your application you were interested in the Camera department, which is full, but how about a spot in Sporting Goods?"

I learned a little about trusting myself that day.