How Much Does a Gas Can Cost?

Today while I was stopped at a light in O'Bryonville (with my windows down), a woman approached me and asked for help. She told me her story—aunt in hospital, car out of gas, "Do you have a gas can?", "Can you take me to the gas station?"—which I'm sure is just a story. Before you blast me for being cynical, realize that I am 95% certain that I have picked up this exact same woman before—it's virtually the same story, and both times she flashed a Tennesee driver's license. Story or not, I picked her up. I only have two criteria (I think) for giving a stranger a ride: 1. Must be female. 2. Must be polite. So it doesn't matter to me whether her story is true or not. I'm willing to give her a ride regardless.

It turns out once she's in the car that she no longer wants to go to the gas station directly; she'd like to go to whatever family member's house is surprisingly close by. I think it was her uncle this time. On the way, she details the various family members who aren't answering their phones. Once we're to the drop of point, she asks if I have just $3-4 because she has $3 already and then she could buy a gas can. I look and tell her I don't have any cash, because I only have a $20 and I'm not willing to give it to her. Then she says, "Are you sure? I just need $7.99. I can get a gas can for $7.99." I say no and offer to give her my gas can, which she's not interested in. So she gets out and thanks me. She walks away and I drive on.

What fascinated me was that she knew the exact price of a gas can. If I'm stranded and in need of help, I'm absolutely certain that I'd have no idea how much a gas can costs. I did a quick search and it turns out she's right: You can get a gas can for $7.99 here. Good to know.

All in all, it was a reminder at the end of a hectic Monday that my life is not such a mess; and even when I'm tired and frustrating and sweaty and my car is making a ever-loudening, mysterious clunking noise, there's a bigger picture and I'm part of it.