This Is A Test

Do you ever wonder if there is someone up there throwing you into situations at times just to see how you'll react? You know, those moments where you think to yourself, "This really can't be happening."

I met a new customer today - though whether she will ever spend a cent here is doubtful. So is she really a customer. It's hard to say. But I know she's going to return.

Today was horrible for me in the scheduling department - again. I wasn't able to be here from about 12 until 4:30. So I put a sign in the window to announce that the shop would re-open at 4:30.

At about 5:00 p.m. in she walked. Age - I'm not sure, maybe 70 or so. But the poor woman absolutely reeked of urine. And looking at the front of her pants I could see that personal hygiene wasn't at the top of her list. Out of a crumpled plastic grocery bag she pulled a pair of bent 3 1/4 straight needles. Full from top to bottom with small pale yellow stitches. In acrylic, naturally. Could I help her, she asked. Could I count her stitches. She wasn't sure if she had the right amount - 279. So, yes, I counted the stitches. There were 281. What would you do?

I told her there were two too many. The poor dear looked destroyed. What to do? I told her it wasn't a problem, all she had to do was knit two stitches together at either end - nobody would know the difference.

Could I do that for her? Fix it?

Sure, I said, I'll look after it.

Count the stitches again so you know there's 279.

Don't worry, I'll count as I go.

By this time my eyes were watering and my head pounding from the smell.

My new friend walked around the store, looking at patterns, and naturally, asking me lots of questions as I knit away. The stitches were so tight on the needle I could barely get my needle in them.

Did I sew? Did I quilt? Did I crochet? Did I do Bunka? You better count the stitches again.

Don't worry, I said. I'm keeping track.

Can I come in some time and knit with you?

The smell, I thought, the smell. What will I do?

I finally finished and she pulled out the pattern for a baby Matinee jacket.

Could I read the pattern for her so she knows she's on the right track. Are there eighteen stitches in the pattern?

I don't know, I thought. I can't think. The smell.....

I got her all sorted out and she thanked me. She borrowed the phone to tell "them" that she was on her way back. She thanked me. I was patient. I was terrific. Thanks Kim! I'll be back! Thanks Kim! I'll be back!

I looked up at the sky. Did I pass?

What would you do?