Pumping Gas

Dragon is on some heavy duty pain relievers.  All 4 of his prescriptions have driving warnings.  Since he can't stand to go even 30 minutes past a dose, he is home from work.  No driving, no work.

Sunday morning I had to stop for gas.  I started to unbuckle my seatbelt but he was out and around the car before I even got my hand on the buckle.  He's fast!

He hates it that I have to pump my own gas most of the time.

Years ago I dropped him off at the airport in Boise Idaho for a deployment.  Not a danger deployment this time.  He didn't return to Afghanistan.  But traffic had us running late and I had to fill up the tank right after I dropped him off. 

I stood there with the nozzle in my hand, crying for 5 minutes before someone decided to help me.  I couldn't figure out how to pump the gas.  This was the first deployment since Afghanistan.

I honestly hadn't pumped gas since he returned and I couldn't figure out anything.  The pumps had changed in the year and a half since he had been back.   For me, it was heartbreaking. His newest deployment became real in that moment. 

I don't know why but seeing him rush around the car to beat me to the pump brought that memory back. 

I don't know the young man that helped me that day but I am forever grateful.