"100" ...One From The Kilroy File

One From The Kilroy File:

...I was at McDonald's one day.

It was mid-afternoon during the workweek; normally a quiet time when you never have to wait long in line. Suddenly, the restaurant - a term I use loosely - was swarmed by junior high schoolers returning from a fieldtrip. In a moment the place was abuzz. By the time I stepped up to the counter, in the midst of the chattering mass, I had difficulty focusing. Finally, I ordered one of the mealdeals. Normally, I prefer to special order at McDonald's because the food made fresh is better. {Considering how good it's possible for McDonald's food to be}

While I was eating, watching the kids {thinking back over what seemed like lifetimes since I was in their shoes} I noticed one boy that stood out. He was sitting next to the front window, alone at a table, eating a homepacked lunch. When I finished, I made my way back to the counter and found the two chaperones.

I asked about the boy and they told me that he said he forgot to bring money. So, they scrounged around, found some food and packed a lunch for him. My first thought was basically, Why didn't you crowbar your fucking wallet open and give him a few bucks? Then they told me that he comes from a problem home; they probably don't have money to give him. Again, I'm wondering whether George Washington is wearing sunglasses in this guy's wallet because he so infrequently sees the sun.

I asked the chaperones if they would take some money and give it to the boy. I took $10 out and tried to give it to them. They said I could give it to him. I told them I didn't want to do that; it would be more discreet if they gave him the money. No, if I wanted to give him the money I had to do it. They said the boy should see the person who wanted to help him. By this time, I was disgusted. It took everything I had to not tell these jackasses exactly what I thought of them. I said, fine; I'll give it to him.

As we made our way through the rows of tables I switched the bill from a 10 to a 20. I folded it so the amount did not show. We walked over and the jackass said something like, This man has something he wants to say to you. I said something about wanting him to enjoy the fieldtrip and that it might be nice for him to have some McDonald's. Eloquent I'm sure it wasn't. I held out the money to him. The poor kid was looking at me clearly not knowing what the hell to think; and I'm sure not feeling anything in the world that resembled comfort. I was so pissed off at the chaperones. The jackass told him it was ok; go ahead and take the money. He hesitantly reached out and took the bill from my hand. Now, the jackass had to chime in. What do you say? he asked. The boy, in not much more than a whisper, said Thank you. I told him to enjoy the day or some such thing...as he slipped the money into his pocket.

I walked with the jackass back to the door. Before I left, I couldn't help but tell him what a prick I thought he was. He made the boy stand out more than he did with his sacklunch having some stranger handing him money. I offered a few other choice thoughts and left the jackass standing with his mouth hanging open.

I am hopeful that what I wanted to be a Random Act of Kindness didn't make things worse for the boy in any way. It is something that continues to bother me now years later. I understand that they helped the boy by giving him food to eat. The way they handled that, though, in my mind was not good. The way they handled taking a contribution for the kid was shameful, I think.