A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Get The Paper

I was going to get the new paper the day it was released
But my ride was running late
I realized I was going to miss the meeting entirely
So I decided to go down the street
To the local Starbucks and get a much needed dose of caffeine
with a gift card I’d been given
As I waited in line to place my order, another vendor approached stating the obvious:
‘You missed the meeting today!’
I replied rolling my eyes and saying ‘I know!’
That prompted the man at the front of the line to turn to me and ask, “Just what meeting did you miss my dear?”
I told him about The Contributor- its mission and purpose to help those who are homeless and displaced get the things they need to lead productive lives in the community where they reside
He then told me his name was Joe and that he was familiar with the concept
Because he had helped to launch The Big Issue: a publication similar to ours in the UK where he is from.
At that point he told me to put my gift card away, HE was, “buying my coffee today!”
I offered him a paper in exchange for the drink, so he could compare the one from the UK to the one from right here in Nashville, Tennessee.
I encouraged him to let us know what he thought of this kindred paper from across the pond!
We finished speaking but as he walked away
A few others who overheard what we were talking about
They were also waiting for their drinks and other tasty treats a few began to ask:
“Can I have one of those so I can check it out?” Or “Can I have one of those to read with my coffee, please?”
Without hesitation of course I said yes, as any good salesman would do
Something not everyone was exited to hear
Out of nowhere a man suddenly appeared
He gave me a stern warning: “There’s no soliciting here on this property ma’am!”
I said I am aware of that, but for the record,
I didn’t ask ANYONE to buy a single paper!
Continuing on I said, “I gave a paper to the man who bought me a drink. That seemed fair as it was the ONLY thing I had to share.
I didn’t solicit a single sale they ALL asked me. Was I supposed to say no?”
He agreed, still he said I had to leave
Once I got my drink, I couldn’t stay.
I did as he asked and went away, but know this, I did so with a BIG smile on my face!
This story goes to show how much has changed since I started selling the paper way back in the day
Ironically when I started I sold The Contributor at the Starbucks on 29th and West End
One day a policeman threatened to give me a ticket because he said my wheelchair was blocking the sidewalk keeping pedestrians from getting through
So I folded my chair and stood as instructed
To avoid getting the citation he was offering
That is until a manager came out and asked:
“Ms. Norma, why aren’t you sitting in your chair on the sidewalk like usual?”
I told him what happened, with the policeman and he took immediate action, placing my wheelchair in the gravel pit under the Starbucks sign.
He went on to say, “If he comes back and gives you ANY trouble, tell him to come inside and talk to one of us, we’ll take care of you I promise!
Because you’re on Starbucks property now, and there’s NOTHING he can do about it!”
Needless to say, I NEVER had another incident as long as I was there!