Traci Almost Gets Stolen

It wasn't my intention to let her get stolen, I just hate going to the stupid mall. It was about 8:15 last Friday night. Traci and I were watching TV when she said "I need to go back to the mall to buy some shoes." She asked me if I wanted to go, which of course, I didn't. Here's where my story and Traci's story start to conflict.

My version: Traci says, "We can go to the mall and then we can go to Albertson's and you can rent a movie." (Like it was my reward for being a good boy and going to the mall.) I said, "How 'bout you go to the mall and I go to Albertson's and rent a movie."

Traci's version: Traci says, "We can go to the mall and then I need to go to Albertson's and buy some stuff for blah, blah, blah. You can rent a movie while we're there."

I refused her offer and she went to the mall by herself. I drove to Albertson's and rented a movie. By about 9:15 I was wondering where Traci was because the mall closes at 9 p.m. That's when the phone rang. "I need you to come pick me up at Albertson's," she said.

"Are you okay?"

"Just come get me."

"What's happening?"

"We'll talk about it when you get here."

Of course I was very worried and confused. What was she doing at the Albertson's? Why does she need a ride? What's happened to the car? I hopped in the car and headed down the street to the grocery store.

When I pulled up at the Albertson's Traci was standing out front with a couple of bags of groceries. Next to her was a man, also holding groceries. He looked to be in his mid-40s. He had the male pattern baldness where you've got hair on the sides but none on the top. I immediately assumed that he was an Albertson's worker because he was wearing tan pants and a tan shirt.

Traci walked over to the car and asked me if we could give him a ride. I gave her a very confused look, but I said yes. I didn't know what the situation was and wasn't really in the position to talk to her about it freely with him standing right there.

He said he needed a ride to the Tesoro gas station about a mile away. I was driving the Focus so Traci climbed in the back seat and this dude sat next to me. I figured if he was next to me I would be able to keep an eye on him a little bit. I don't like the idea of people being able to sneak up on me from behind.  To make a little small talk I said, "So how long have you worked at Albertson's?"

"Oh, I don't work at Albertson's. I was just doing my shopping. I came here on the bus but the busses aren't running now because they stop early on Friday nights. That's why I asked your wife for a ride home." He asked me if it had been raining and then said, "People keep saying that we need the rain and I don't understand why. The Lord told Noah that he would never flood the earth again. The good Lord always gives us enough rain, but the bishop and people in the ward are storing water like we're going to run out. But the Lord always gives us rain.  I don't understand it."

"Well, I think if you have a drought long enough, you do run out of water," I said. "Are you going to catch a bus at the Tesoro?"

"No, I just need some cigarettes, if I don't get some the old lady's gonna be real mad." We pulled into the Tesoro and he thanked us for the ride.

I turned around and asked Traci what the deal was. She had walked out of the door and the guy asked her for a ride and wouldn't leave her alone.  I guess she hesitated and then (very smartly) said that she couldn't because she had walked to the store--which she hadn't.  You would think that would deter someone, but he said it would be no problem for him to just walk home with her and then they could get the car. He said, "I'd even be willing to ride in the trunk."  She said, "I'll call my husband and see if he can give you a ride."

Now I have to feel awful that because I didn't want to go to the mall my wife almost got stolen. With all of the craziness going on lately--the kidnapped joggers and whatnot--simple things like going to the grocery store can turn into a big deal. I am very happy that Traci was smart about the situation, though I wish she would have just gone back in and told the manager. I probably just should have said "sorry, I'm not giving you a ride" to the guy and just taken Traci and left, but I wasn't sure why she had told him we'd give him a ride. The experience gave me a lot to think about.  I'm happy that everything worked out okay and that I've still got Traci. She's a keeper.