Continued; Can We Relax After Surviving Our Scariest Imaginations?
Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011
by Suzi Gravenstuk
http://www.suzi-gravenstuk.blogspot.com
Likely, I could have called 911 quicker from my cell phone when I first realized that several people including myself were in danger. I was in an awkward position as I was carrying the day’s new papers in one hand, my keys and coffee mug in the other, and my cell phone –where--? In my car! I make a mental note to keep my cell phone on me from now on—preferably in the hand not holding newspapers. Who knows—maybe my sister in Oklahoma, or my sister in Texas would call me. Even though it is unlikely at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning, I would hate to miss a call from either of them.
After calling 911 it wasn’t long until sheriff’s deputies and a couple of patrolmen arrived. They blocked in the man holding the gun and each drew rifles on him, commanding, “Put the gun down!” He hesitated a few seconds that seemed like an eternity to me. “Oh, NO! I thought, not a suicide by cop, please no…”
Finally he laid the gun down on top of the car. As he was handcuffed he locked eyes with me. It was a bit unsettling. He communicated to me that I had betrayed him.
He would have a chance to give his side of the story, just without holding a gun on someone. As he was tucked inside the patrol car, things returned to normal, like a movie that was put on pause, then restarted. The customers checked out and went along their way. I was held a bit to give the information I had to the police. That was quick as they already had the information I had.
Preparing to leave, I looked at the clerk. She had tears in her eyes. A few streamed down her cheek. I realized that the night society, the workers that keep things going while the rest of the town sleeps--share a fear. We don't talk about it--its just kind of there, it doesn't bother us unless something arouses it. I think of this fear as being like a sleeping guard dog, that is aroused at the slightest sound or stirring.
Each of the stores I serve has special, friendly people running the night shift. Just like you and me, they have loved ones. I fear for their safety. I have for quite awhile. The stores often have only one person working the night shift. It is my habit to call out loudly if I don't see a clerk upon entering a store, especially if no one greets me immediately. My greatest fear while working this shift is that I will find one of them hurt in the commencement of a robbery.
I hugged her and told her that now that the "it" had happened, we didn't have to have that nagging fear in the back of our minds any more. It had happened. It is over. We no longer have to live with this fear. (Hey, it sounded good at the time. The next week the store was robbed. It was the eldest most onery clerk in the state. I would have been scared to piss her off... Anyway she gave the robber the money and he left her alone. That same week two other convenience store robberies occurred in that 35 mile span.) No one has been hurt. Yet.
I have plenty of time to think on my route. Maybe too much. It occurred to me that I did not know if the gun was real. It could have been a toy gun. If the gun was real, I still did not know if it was loaded. What if he didn’t put the gun down fast enough?He could have been shot. I had assumed the gun was real. Should I have determined if the gun was real and loaded before we called in for assistance? What would you have done?
Can 1we all relax now that we have faced the reality of our imaginings? Does facing a fear make it go away? Well, let's see what Jennifer Stewart has to say in, " The Only Way Past the Wall of Fear Is To Walk Through It".
1: we all = the night shift, or swing shift
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)This article is alive. Like your structuring and layout. You are full of an electrical quality in your style that I like. Your fun to read, and I look for your next efforts.Thank you Christofer, I prize your opinion and comments. See you at your library soon.
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