My life as a small business owner is so incredibly different from my life in Corporate America.  My life in CA was very much the Dolly Parton song Working 9 to 5 except I usually was up by 4 or 5 and in the office til past 5.  My life then was rush hour, emails, take out food, meetings, headsets for long calls and work travel. It was coffee to start the day and a sleep aid to end it.  Somehow I felt important. I had my own world with my friends, food, house, husband, etc.  My world.

Today my life is slower.  I have more time to zig when life zags. I can cook my own food, exercise properly, smile, tell the barista to take their time as I’m not in a hurry, let the car in in front of me, talk to fellow small business owners, chat up my neighbor, field a text from a frantic client needing advice, or help a friend. I read the paper. In other words, I get to see and be part of humanity. I am an average person who is a part of the Charlotte community. Most of that is really good stuff.

9-1-1 – “Do you need Fire, Medic or Police?”

Me – “I think Police and Medic.”

9-1-1 – “What is the issue?”

Me – “I’m at the Home Depot on University City Blvd. The guy in the car next to me bought a can of some chemical. It has a red tube attached to the aerosol trigger to focus the stream. Anyway, I think he is shooting the chemical into his veins.”

9-1-1 – “Why do you think that?”

Me – “When I arrived, he had just gotten into his car.  The door was wide open and it looked like he was trying to read the can, but needed glasses. He was squinting. Now I’m back from shopping and the door of his car is still open, but now he’s laying back in his seat, the tube is in the crook of his arm and it looks like his other hand is focused on holding the trigger down.”

9-1-1 – “Ok, what color is the vehicle?”

Me – “Black.”

9-1-1 – “What is the make and can you see the license plate?”

Me – (I relayed the information.)

9-1-1 – “Is he moving?”

Me – “Um…..yes.  He just moved his leg.)

9-1-1 – “Can you see a weapon?”

Me – “No.”

9-1-1 – “What does he look like?”

After providing the rest of the information, I hung up and ran to catch up with the MOD (Manager On Duty) of the Home Depot. I had notified the customer service desk first knowing it would take them some time.  Thankfully she had a police officer providing security and the two of them were looking for the car in a nearby aisle.  CMPD arrived as I was talking to them.  I took off.

Part of me was nervous.  Did I really see what I saw?  What if I was wrong?  What if I wasn’t wrong and he died there in his car because I didn’t call someone?  What if he did have a weapon?

Part of me was sad.  Someone in our community felt the need to shoot garage lubricant or some other chemical into their veins because they were so desperate to get high.  I felt really bad that he felt that bad.

I’m not sure I would have seen him in my old life, I would have been on a call by then.
All of that to say, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a small business owner in our community. Though it can be tough at times, it affords me the opportunity to connect with people and yes, even perhaps save a life.

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