A Late Summer Adventure

This morning I was dressed to go to the gym for a class,  but right before I needed to walk out the door I got busy and all of a sudden there wasn't enough time to get there before the class started. I took that as a sign from the Universe that I wasn't supposed to do any organized exercise, so I showered and changed into regular clothes.

I decided to walk up to the grocery store and use the ATM there to deposit a check. Heading north on the main street, I noticed the road work people had equipment completely blocking the sidewalk. I crossed over to the other side of the road and made a mental note to walk home on that side.

We're supposed to have a cold front come through tonight, which will change things from summer hot to fall temperate. I was hopeful the front would be early, but I hoped wrong. There was a nice breeze, but it was hot and sticky. By the time I got to the store my shirt was damp and I had sweat dripping down the back of my neck.

I deposited the check, walked around the store for a while, then started back home. I was more than halfway there when I noticed an organization membership card laying on the side of the road. I picked it up, then saw a loyalty card for a pet store not too far away. Then I saw something that looked like a debit card in the middle of the street. I waited until all the cars had passed and stepped out to pick it up. Before I knew it I had gathered a man's wallet, his driver's license, a couple of charge/debit cards, a little money, and some extra 'stuff'.

I was a sweaty mess, and all I wanted to do was get home, but I figured that the right thing to do would be to backtrack a quarter mile to turn my finds in at the police office. I took a look at the address on the license, figured out the man lived not too far from me, and thought it would be a nice gesture to stop by his place and tell him where to find his valuables.

At the police office I explained the situation . The person I talked to said they would send a patrol car by the house and drop off the things, but I asked for a piece of paper and jotted a quick note to drop off at the man's house in case he wasn't home.  As I passed the original location a second time I found a sheet of paper with a PIN on it and attached it to the note.

I walked past my condo and on to his townhouse (which, of course, was as far away in the neighborhood as possible). The man wasn't home, but his neighbor was outside and said that she would tape my note to the door.

I hope the story has a happy ending. I know I would be frantic if I lost my wallet.

Five years ago today: Go Away, Summer!