This Woman Carries No Cash!

Today I must have a sign floating over my head that reads:  Hit Her For Cash.  Reality is, I rarely have cash on me--I have kids!  I use my ATM for everything!! 

For the 3rd time today, I've been approached by 4 different men asking for money.  The first man was at the gas station.  Apparently, according to my friend, Maria, this is a very popular method of obtaining cash in the state of Texas:

  "Ma'm I just found out that my gas tank is empty, can you spare me some cash?" 

I had to turn him down.  I had approximately 3 bucks in my wallet--$2 for my son's lunch, and $1 for my coffee.  Hell, if I was going to let him borrow my ATM card for gas!  I was already running late as it was already!  Sorry Charlie.  Still, I did feel guilty. 

Guilt is a terrible thing...

Later in the morning, I was informed that the women's bathroom was flooded.  Lovely.  To make matters worse, I really needed to use the darn thing.  So, I decided, hey, I will take a break, go to the drugs store, buy diapers, etc..and may be stop somewhere and use the bathroom. 

As I approached the McDonald's parking lot, I could see them already.  There was a panhandler to the left of me, to the right, and up near the entrance.  As I parked my car my first instinct was to just drive away and go somewhere else, but I went against my better judgement, and went on my way towards the McD's.  Like hungry seagulls, they came at me at every direction.  I couldn't believe it.  I am so sure--I'm going to like open my purse and dispense money to all of you today.  I raised my hands up, and told them out loud, "Sorry, I have no cash!"  They all slowly squirmed away, and one actually told me to have a nice day.  Why thank you.  I just felt like I was going to be attacked by 3 men...thank you very much for that kind sentiment.  Of course, I didn't say it, but that is what I was thinking. 

I couldn't just use the toilet, without buying something, so I got a apple pie, which I immediately hid away in my purse, so I couldn't be accused later of having cash when I did.  It's that guilt thing again.  I then went into the unisex bathroom...(eeeww), and finally got to pee.  It was disgusting.  I couldn't even sit on the toilet!  I should have just walked across to the main county buildingfrom my work, but instead, there I was... 

As I made my way back to my car, with my apple pie in my purse, I noticed the panhandlers had assumed different positions in the parking lot.  Sure, they saw me walking towards my car, but they were more interested in the new victim, sorry, man who was leaving his car.  Did either one of the approach HIM?.  Suprisingly, no, they didn't!  They didn't dare ask him.  Why?  Possibly because he was a man?  Was it the car he was driving?  He drove in with a BMW; I drive a Nissan Altima...  Hmm...  Makes you wonder, doesn't it?  Do people look at me and immediately assume I carry cash?  Do I have some sort of "come hither" aura that attracts people "in need" of a drink?  Scary, hey..