Benson

After dropping the garbage on the road I made the 5 min trip in to our new Wal-Mart.  This is highly unusual for me on a Sunday as I try not to shop.  I entered the store feeling like a hunter prowling the mountain hills for the trophy buck.  For me hunting is much easier, except for the random possibility of blowing your foot off.  This type of grocery store trip will be a constant and I'm sure a year from now I will probably be good friends with all the local associates.  The garden center seemed quiet, so I approached for an ambush.  And I did just that when I found Benson rearranging some shelves.

Benson is a 6 foot 2 mildly round college white student who began working at this Wal-Mart when it first opened. And yes he worked as a greeter (which I learned they have a two fold mission, say hi to people and help deter any would be thieves).  He grimaced as he described the 8 hour days spent standing at the entrance, but don't worry he did get an hour lunch and 2 fifteen minute breaks.  He's been promoted to the fly fishing desk, where he doesn't do much all day, but at least he gets to sit (and read).  Benson has spent the last two years as a senior in physics and seems to actually like it.  It turns out he studies in the building where I work at the university.  He's a bit jaded about our community and mentioned some "things" that happened which are driving him to get out.  I almost asked (I know completely none of my business) what they were, but gathered myself before looking like a massive idiot.

I never would have given Benson a second look, but today when I saw him by himself looking unoccupied, he became the most important person in my life.  I absolutely had to get to know him.  I followed him back and forth for a few minutes, asking stupid questions about his responsibilities, until he stopped and offered his full attention.  Three days down and three new friends, this isn't so bad afterall.