Sometimes Sparkle Doesn't Sparkle

I made a wide right turn into the Sparkle parking lot.  Maybe it was a little too wide, but there was some snow covering the curb, and I didn't want to hit it.  A young girl leaving the parking lot decided to proceed even though it was very tight.  I cut back toward the curb to avoid her and as I glanced over, she was screaming toward my car and flipping me the bird.  I did put my hands up and mouth the words, "What do you want me to do!"

I approached my spot next to the buggy return, shut off the engine, and checked my mirrors.  I noticed a young man walking toward my car.  I was immediately uncomfortable with the situation.  I was actually on the phone with my Dad at the time, so I told him to hold on, and I placed the phone in my pocket so he could hear what was about to take place. 

The man was now about a car length away from my car.  I opened my door, stepped out, closed the door, and awaited his next move.  He hesitated, stepped back a bit, and then proceeded to walk toward me.  I took one large step in his direction, not allowing him to feel in control.  He began to scream so loud, that I honestly thought some of the parking lot lights would bust out.  I stood firm, tall, hands at the ready, as watched him intently.

He called me a "Cussing faggot!"  He told me he was going to "Beat the cuss outta me!"  He made it very clear that I don't "Cussing know him," and that I have no idea what he's "Capable of!"  I looked at him calmly and said, "You're acting like this over a wide right turn?"  He began to bounce around, chimp like, and continued to swarm me with insults.  I never wavered, never looked away.  I stood there and let him belittle me.

I finally looked him directly in the eyes and said, "Are you done partner.  I have shopping to do."  He again yelled that "I don't know him!"  I responded by saying, "The way you're acting tells me all I need to know about you."  I suddenly had an epiphany.  I thought to myself, Ray.....remember what Pops used to tell you.  He would say, "Bub, sometimes it's better to know what you can do....than to do what you can do."

His girlfriend had pulled around by this time, pleading with him....."Tyler, get in the cussing car!!"  "Tyler, he doesn't seem very scared of you!"  The young lady was right.  I wasn't very scared of Tyler.  Once I saw how he was acting, I knew that I was in no physical danger.  I've seen plenty of bark in my time.  I've been bitten a lot as well, but the bite never came from the most boisterous man. 

I backed away toward the store, keeping my eyes on him.  He continued to scream and yell cuss words at me.  I told them good night and started to walk away, knowing I was in no danger.  He said, "Wait until you see your car when you come out mother CUSSER!!!"  I stopped, turned to him, smiled, and said "Tyler, it's obvious that I don't fear you.  I can guarantee you that my car doesn't fear you.  Before this fiasco, I did not know you.  Now I know that you're a loud mouthed little kid.  A kid that I sure wouldn't want my daughter to date, and a kid named Tyler running around in a red Saturn Vue with the license plate $@353Z." 

I turned and walked away completely proud of myself.  Proud of myself for not doing what I wanted to do...and what I knew I was capable of doing.  I was proud that I could control my mind, which is not always possible for me.  I was proud that I thought of my wife and kids, and that I had the maturity to stay calm.  Most importantly, I was proud that I walked away knowing, that that young man didn't know me.  And he's still trying to figure it all out.  -blink

  NOTE- All real CUSS words were replaced with the word CUSS.  Thank you Fantastic Mr. Fox.