31 March 2020. Safeway Truck.
Man or car? But that's not really the choice. I was walking up Solano a
little after 7pm--the clouds over the hills against a sunset sky,
particularly beautiful--pink and gray and gold, spread gently against
the evening blue... You can't not be grateful each time. And the street
almost entirely empty, just like last night, and the night before. A few
stragglers on the sidewalk, widely spaced, one at a time for the most
part, except for an Asian family, parents and two small children,
walking together and laughing. Felt as if they were brave and foolhardy
at the same time--or that they knew something important, in a quotidian
way. I'd seen them before--a group stands out...
Very few vehicles, but there in front of the apartment building on the
corner of Ensenada (somehow a landmark--that dark corner at night) I see
a familiar sight. The Safeway truck. My heart lifts--absurd, of course,
to find happiness in a commercial vehicle. It's scrunched up to the
curb, one wheel up on the concrete. At first I think it's just
parked--and why here in front of the apartments--except that they're
probably low rent. (Cycle of thoughts.) But then I see a guy in a hooded
sweatshirt, closing the rear door and making his way around to the open
door of cab.
I walk towards him, ask about the truck, the deliveries. At first he's
ambiguous, but my attitude--good will, that is--gains his confidence.
Their deliveries? Last week, way behind. A week out at times,
undependable. "But they're hiring more people. All the stores, 4 or
5..." He expresses this in a very basic way--words not being his thing.
(I think of the California public school system for an instant--how you
provide for a young guy like this, but just a flash.) What I want to
know, of course, is can I order groceries and actually get them
delivered.
It's the pattern that matters--something known, something familiar. A
comfort, even when your mind tells you, be open to change...
_____
I ask if people tip. (I've gone out without cash, though.) Half smile.
Mostly not. I tell him, "When you come to my house, I'll give you
something extra for sure." Answer, "Hey," (full smile, and very much in
character), "what's your address...?!"
He knows I'm thanking him, too...
_____
Note: The truck is like an apparition. Maybe because it's relatively
large for a neighborhood street. A little prehistoric. They delivered to
me last summer when I needed the service for a couple of weeks. Would
hear it arrive in the night, sound of the corrugated door being rolled
up. Face of delivery guy as he appeared on the porch, 2-3 gray plastic
Safeway bags in each hand...
