Nothing frosts me more than watching someone who looks perfectly healthy, and who does NOT have a handicapped sticker, pull into a reserved parking spot. I know that people can look fine and yet have a legitimate reason to use that parking — typically, they have a sticker or something to hang from their rearview mirror. I don't automatically assume that someone who looks healthy is taking advantage. I know better because I've had family in that position.
But I still think it happens. And I think the lady who pulled into the handicapped spot at Starbucks the other day was doing just that. She had no sticker, no plate, and no placard.
She sat there for twenty minutes and talked on the phone the entire time. Not only did she talk on the phone, gesticulating and yelling, but she popped her visor down and proceeded to squeeze pimples on her face. No, I am not kidding. Unfortunately, my table was facing that spot, and each time I looked up, there she was, hollering into her phone and picking her face. It was awful.
And what did she do after she'd sat there for twenty minutes while other people had to drive around to find parking? She left and used the drive-thru. Never even came into Starbucks.
People like that give me ideas for characters, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. But I was angry for anyone who legitimately needed that spot while she hogged it (there is only one). And absolutely stunned that someone would sit in full view of a cafe in which they could see people sitting and pick their skin. Hell, I think at one point she pulled out some tweezers and plucked hair. I'm not certain, but I think so. All while talking on her phone. Amazing, huh?
And now for much more pleasant tidings! I've employed a scientific method (scrambling names and taking mine from the mix) to arrive at my two winners: Rachael Johns and Patricia!! Please email me at contact @ lynnrayeharris dot com with addresses and your choice of prize.
$10 gift card to bookstore (Amazon, BAM, B&N),
OR
Presents trio, selected by moi from my stash,
OR
My debut book when it comes out, signed, along with two other Presents novels (unfortunately, you will have to wait until mid-July or so, but I'm good with that if you are!)
Congratulations to the winners! Keep checking back, because I plan to have more giveaways, especially as we get closer to my new site launch!
Oh I sooooooooooo know what you mean!! I despise people who park in disabled spots when they’re perfectly able!! Grrr…. I hope you sat there giving the lady evils! But you’re right about the character inspiration 🙂
Thanks for the prize! I’ll definitely be emailing a request for you book! Can’t WAIT!! But I will…
Hi, Rach! I think that lady was clueless, even when I did look at her directly. Why can’t you do your skincare in your home, you know? Ick! Not to mention hogging a parking spot that others legitimately need.
Got your addy, and the book will be on the way the moment I have one!
She was lucky the parking patrol didn’t drive up and ticket her. They do that in grocery store and shopping center parking lots.
When I had my foot surgery last year I wished I’d applied for a temporary handicap permit. It wore me out to hike in from the back forty, walk through the store to shop and hike back. I’d be ready for a nap by the time I got home. And the electric cart was never available or charged when I was there.
And ewwww on the pimple squeezing. Yuck.
Congrats to the winners!
Verification word = deparki . That’s what you wish you could do to someone who parks in the handicapped spot without proper authorization. You wish you could deparki them.
Having a disabled son I absolutely know what you’re saying. There are people who need those spaces for obvious reasons.
Thanks for the prize. I would love a copy of your book. I email the info. Thanks again.