Wednesday, March 09, 2011

The Case of the Missing Clothes

I recently returned from my annual jaunt to the Cubs spring training in Arizona, but I was not a happy camper. Okay, since it was 36 degrees in Chicago and 76 in Arizona, it was understandable that I was in a bit of a snit going home (oh, how I love me some hot weather!!!)
My bad attitude was definitely of my own doing (isn't it always?), but a complete stranger single-handedly pulled me out of my doldrums with a random act of kindness.
Here's what happened...
While sitting on the grassy berm (thought I would write 'knoll' didn't ya?), I met a nice, single fellow who lived in the area and offered to go for a drink after the game. When he started to get in my car (I know, I know...never let strangers in your car!), I grabbed the 2 jackets and scarf that I was planning to wear home and threw them in the back seat of the rental car.
You know where this is going, don't you?
Yep, I left the three important articles in the car. (No, nothing came of the 'post-game drink.' Thanks for asking.)
Changing into my 'cold weather' clothes in the airport bathroom, I realized that I had no appropriate outerwear for the just-above freezing weather that would greet me in Chicago. Two long-sleeved shirts and jeans. That's it.
After making several unanswered calls to the rental car company, I stood in the gate area with a distinctly cranky look on my face (I'm sure, I'm not very good at hiding my emotions.)
"Well, I know why you were here," said Phoenix Inspector (we're going to call him PI) after noticing my long-sleeved Cubs shirt.
"Um, yeah." Did I mention I was NOT HAPPY?
It turns out PI lives in Phoenix, but comes to Chicago almost every other week. After hearing my stupid mistake, he offered to bring my belongings on his next trip (if/when the rental company finds them).
How nice is that?
We exchanged business cards and said our goodbyes prior to boarding our very-crowded flight.
Turns out, the rental car company found my clothes (after assuring them for the 50th time that the clothes were NOWHERE ELSE EXCEPT the backseat of the car). They asked for a credit card number and sent them to me via 3-day FedEx.
Happy ending!!!
Question: I considered calling PI and telling him the result, but offering to buy him a drink the next time he's in town just to repay his offer of kindness. That doesn't sound like a pick-up line, does it?