Damsel In Distress

Today I took M to get her flu shot. We were in the office for about 35 minutes total. When we got back to the car, IT WOULDN'T START. ?!?!? My battery was dead. The car made a little ticking noise when I attempted to start it. So I called H, a little panicked. He gave me the number to the Allstate Emergency Assistance (I had a card with the number, but wasn't thinking at the time). So I gave them a ring, and they sent a tow truck out to jump start my car. About 40 minutes later, a scruffy looking man (what other kind of man would be driving a tow truck?) showed up and had my car started in about 2.5 seconds. Then he was getting all of my information and this is the conversation that ensued:

Scruffy: Do you have WIC for you and the baby?

Me: looking confused What?

Scruffy: Do you have WIC for you and the baby?

Me: still looking confused No.

Scruffy: Do you know what it is?

Me: bumfuzzeled by this time Yeah.

Scruffy: Sorry I don't mean to be nosy.

Seriously, what kind of question is that to ask a stranger? Do I look like I can't afford to feed my baby? Do I look incompetent of holding a good-paying job? I was actually looking pretty good today...jeans, black Banana Republic tee shirt, black espadrille wedges, full makeup (even mascara and lipstick) and a moderately-sized rock on my left ring finger. And my car, although dirty, is not even 3 years old.

Anyway, I went on my way, thankful that the scruffy, nosy man helped me out, and stopped at Pep Boys because Scruffy said that an auto store like that should be able to check my starter system (whatever that is) for free. I got M out of the car and left it running for fear that it would die if I turned it off. I asked the girl at the front register and she sent me to the service department. So I told the old man (mid to late 50's, I'd guess) my story about how my battery had died and I got someone to come jump it off and I wanted someone to check it real quick. He said he could, but it'd be a while. When I asked how long, he said about an hour. AN HOUR! I just spent 30 minutes waiting on a flu shot, 40 more on a jump start, and he wants me to wait another HOUR with a hungry, tired toddler?!? I told him that the car was still running in the parking lot, and he quickly interrupted with "We can't look at it in the parking lot. You have to bring it around back." I sighed, said thanks, and turned around and walked out. Whatever happened to helping out a damsel in distress?

So, now I'm home and my car won't start. I hope I don't have an emergency before H gets home with a new battery.