“You’re such an embarrassment.”

I'm at the grocery store, ready to check out. I keep glancing over my phone and scrolling through my Twitter feed while waiting for my turn.

“Yes, that too, what the hell? What in the world is wrong with you, woman!?”

I paused my scrolling feed for a sec, and glanced up to see the aggressive speaker.

From what I can tell, he was dressed up for a special occasion like a red carpet event or gala. Strange. I went back into my phone mode, and getting bored, switched from Twitter to my weekly planner. I had to pee, so I started slowly tapping my feet as a distraction.

“I am so sorry, son, I didn’t know…”
“Of course, my dear.” said the elderly mother. (It's clear they are mother and son.) She spoke in a soft, shaky voice, and was hunch backed, with thin, grey hair. Her middle-aged son was twice her size.

The elderly woman spoke to the cashier, “Can you please add the two bottles of wine and the chocolate? And, let me see... Oh, is it too much to ask if you don’t mind, to remove the eggs, almond milk, and the peaches too? I am so sorry to cause everyone trouble.” She turned to me with a frown and sad eyes, obviously embarrassed. She whispered, “I am so sorry.”

I gave her a big smile and said, “Oh, not at all. You’re totally fine.”

“For crying out loud. Wow, you’ve managed to ruin my night. That’s it, I’ll be out in the car waiting with Joanna.” The son had one hand in his pocket, and the other rubbing his forehead in an irritated manner. He turned around and walked out of the store.

“What a douche bag.” I said to myself, and then went back to staring at my phone.

“Ma’am, can you please swipe again?” The cashier asked the sweet, elderly lady.

“Of course, my dear.” she said in her soft voice, her entire body shaking as if she was going to fall.

“What card is that? Oh it’s an EBT card. Ma’am we don’t accept that at this store.”

“Oh no… That’s all I have except some cash and change. Can you please cancel out the transaction? I’ll get the wine and the Ferrero Rocher chocolate. I’ll see if I can come up with the cash.” She began shaking even more, her voice starting to crumble as a tear slid down her cheek. She walked toward the Coin Star machine to get dollar bills to add to her cash so she could buy the things for her son.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My heart was ripped. I didn’t want to embarrass her, so I waited until she walked away.

“Hey, please don’t cancel the items. Also, can you please ring the peaches, almond milk, and the carton of eggs? While you do that, can I quickly get something?”

I ran to the gift card aisle. There was a $50 Visa and a $500 American Express. I picked the AmEx.

The elderly woman, at this point, was barely to the exit door.

“Please add $500 on AmEx and these two frozen pizzas.”

The cashier said, “Oh, wow, $500. Is it a special occasion? Someone is lucky!”

“Yes, I was very lucky, and I'm going to repay the kindness.”

I checked out, and walked toward the elderly woman. I asked, “Ma’am, what's your name?”

Taken by surprise, she looked at me with her sad eyes. Still shaking, she said, “I am Laurie.” "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Laurie. You see, earlier today, my boss gave away $1,000 for a silly competition at work. I won, and I was going to give it to my mother. But today, when I saw you, you reminded me of her. If you would be so kind, would you accept this small gift and split it with my mother? I mean, if she were here, this is what she’d ask me to do, and sharing my award would make me happy, but sad if you don’t accept.”

“I can’t do that, my sweet angel.” she said, looking down and crying uncontrollably.

“Yes, you can. If you consider me your angel, you will do just that because knowing you won’t will make me sadder than you.” I don’t know why, but I started crying along with her.

After a few minutes of negotiating, she accepted but asked for my cell phone number and address so she could mail me a check. I gave her the wrong number.

I took out the AmEx card, and wrote, “You’re a lovely mother.”

I offered her my arm, and we walked toward a brand-new Mercedes Benz, where her son was waiting. I glanced through the window and saw him lounging, conversing with a woman who must've been Joanna.

He looked at me, shocked, and got out of the car. “I'm sorry, do I know you?” Turning to his mother, he said, “Mom, who the hell is that guy?”

Quickly, she became nervous, and I could tell she was embarrassed. “Please, it’s not like him, forgive his behavior.”

“I am Sonny,” I replied. “I am here to escort Ms. Laurie to your car. If you care enough, could you please let her in?”

The son mumbled, “Oh yes, sure. Whatever.”

I opened the door, and Ms. Laurie stepped inside. She spoke in her sweet trembling voice, “Thank you so much, angel, sweet boy. I expect to talk to you soon, I am in your debt.”

I said to her son, “Listen dude, whoever you are, I don’t give a fuck and if I see you again being rude to the elderly, I’ll be sure to call you out in public. You're lucky I didn’t today.”

Fuck off got inside his car and drove off.

I wonder what the mother could have done so wrong to be worthy of her son's rude behavior?

Does he know that 50 years ago this beautiful, young woman was busy wiping his butt, feeding him, and looking out for him? One must wonder what horrible things his mother may have done for him to be that angry; it makes me sick to see that he allows her to live on food stamps, and watched as she left her groceries behind so she can buy the two bottles of wine. She showed her love for him while he sat talking to a young girl who was half his age and looked like someone's teenage daughter.

I went home and immediately called my mother. I started to cry as she said, “Kaise ho beta?” (How are you, my son?) I know that she’s old now, and that life is so short; someday she’ll be gone, and the thought of that caused an ache that made my voice choke. “Ahem… I am doing well Ammy (Mom). I just wanted to call to say I love you. That’s all.” I hung up and continued to cry.

The truth to the matter is that there's no one like your mother, so spend time with her, love her, appreciate her because you never know when this very moment can be taken away from you.

Photo source: I found this photo on Google that most closely resembles Ms. Laurie.