I went to the grocery store this morning to pick up a few things. Upon arriving at my apartment building I was greeted by one of the other tenants. She is an elderly lady that I see from time to time. Often times she is waiting at the bus stop across the street. I have had a few encounters with her over the last two or so years. Those past encounters have typically left me feeling confused and sorry for her. On one occasion she was speaking nonsense sentences. Usually I have just tried to avoid the crazy. Up until this morning I thought she was maybe just lonely with a hint of mental instability. This morning she met me at the front door and asked if I could let her back in the building. I explained that I wasn't going to be home all day, but she could ring my buzzer and I would let her in if I was at home. She asked where I was going. This whole event caught me off guard and in a moment of panic I lied and said that I was going to the grocery store, the same store I had just returned from. Then she asked if she could have a ride to the store. Again, I was panicking and couldn't spit anything out but a meager "ok." When she got in my car she started speaking. She explained that the former mayor of Milwaukee, Norquist had barricaded himself in her apartment along with her sister. Then she babbled something about how it was because she didn't have any children and she went to church. It was pretty much total nonsense. We passed a McDonald's on the short drive and she asked if she could buy me something. I politely declined her offer. She also blurted out that this Norquist character was a "tough customer." When we got to the grocery store I dropped her at the front door. She asked if she could have a ride back and I said that I had things to do and that I was going to work. She didn't have a problem with that and exited my car without another word. The whole ordeal was very weird. She was very creepy. I would say that she is either on drugs or mentally ill.As soon as I was out of the parking lot I called the manager of the apartment. He didn't answer so I left him a message explaining that if anyone came looking for this lady that he could tell them I brought her to the grocery store. I wasn't sure what else to do. Should I have done something else or should I just forget about it and feel good because I did a favor for an elderly lady?
2 comments:
So, have you run into her again? It sounds like she is mentally unstable and probably is a bit paranoid. Be careful around her--she could turn in a heartbeat and accuse you of many things that did not happen. I would not let her get into your car again if I were you.
I have not seen her again. I'm hoping to avoid her until she gets put into some kind of home. She won't get another ride from me. I was blindsided and caught of guard by the whole thing. She won't catch me in that position again.
Post a Comment