Cookie Monsters ...

Just like the 80's movie where a paperboy stalks John Cusack seeking the $2 that is owed him, I have been haunted by the same feeling that someone is following me for my money.

Austin must have the most drug stores per capita in the nation, maybe the world. They seem to be on every corner. There is always a different reason to stop by one. This is a good thing 11 months a year. It's the 12th month that gets me.

Case in point. I was headed to my sons' baseball practice last night, and right before we got to the fields my boys told me they needed sports drinks. No worries; there's a drug store right on the corner! As I pull into the parking lot, my car got really cold and the windows began to fog. I broke out in a cold sweat as I got out of the car. I could feel five sets of eyes looking at me. I kept my head down, and raced into the store. I made it! As I walked to the back of the store to get the drinks, I told myself the real test would be leaving the store, and getting to my car. There have been too many people that have tried and not made it, but I kept telling myself, "Today is my day, and I will make it."

I purchased the drinks, and waited for the right time to leave the store. Like a divine intervention, two elderly women were headed out. Here's the chance I'd been waiting for! I ducked behind the ladies, broke hard right, and started to run. Like something out of a Hitchcock movie, I felt like there wee birds chasing me. As I got to a clearing and saw my car, I pumped my fist in celebration. I made it! That's when I heard it. Like a salvo being fired overhead, "Sir, would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?"

Determined not to give up, I walked to the table and told the girls that I purchased 15 boxes of cookies and my wife told me if I bought another she would make me sleep outside, and I'm afraid of the dark. That's when the smallest and youngest girl said, "Sir, you don't have to buy anymore cookies. You can just donate the two dollars."

I told my boys they had to walk to practice, and I spent the next two hours helping the girls sell the cookies. You know the old saying, "If you can't beat 'em ..."

Wise Guy