As I was driving home today it occurred to me that timing played a part in a lot of what happened to me this week.
Monday, I drove down early to my cardiologists office in New Brunswick for some blood work. I got there at 7:25 for an 8:00 appointment and got a spot in the lot next door. I go all the way down there because they do the work on site and I usually get my results within 24 hours. I was in and out in 35 minutes, didn't get charged for parking, and was back in the Woodbridge area before 9. And I got the results that afternoon.
Tuesday I left early and got to the Laundromat at 7:30, shortly after they opened. I got that done, had breakfast with my daughter and granddaughter, and got an oil change - all before 10:30. I had the rest of the day to enjoy.
Thursday, my daughter and I had planned on breakfast again and then we were going to pick out a Baby Monitor, so I was out early. Unfortunately, she didn't feel well so we cancelled breakfast. I used this time to drive to Merrill Park and wash all my car windows and check the car's fluid levels. I was on my way back when my daughter texted. We wound up getting the Baby Monitor at Babies R Us.
Today, I started out running some errands. I stopped at the bank, then Shoprite, then the gas station. I then headed towards Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. I cut through Avenel to get there. On Prospect Street, I saw this guy working on his tires.
It was quiet out here, and isolated.
Point, press, Flash.
I made a few more turns and stopped at Dunkin' Donuts. I bought a Honey Bran Raisin Muffin and a medium Iced Tea, black. As I was getting some napkins and a straw a young man came over. He was maybe mid-20's and wearing a dress shirts, slacks, and a tie. I guessed that he - and his two similarly dress friends - were probably salesmen at one of the nearby car lots.
He asked me where I'd gotten the T Shirt I was wearing. I told him that I'd picked it up last year at a second-hand store in South Plainfield.
He said that a friend of his - a Hip Hop Artist - made these shirts to plug his act and asked if he could take a picture to send him. I let him and he thanked me and went back to his friends. They left and I sat down to eat, smiling to myself at the strangeness of the situation.
I took the rest of my Iced Tea and headed towards Menlo Park Mall. Along the way, I came up behind this woman on a bicycle.
I've said before that I don't like bike riders on busy streets. I was tempted, but she had a child seat on the back and I couldn't tell if there was anyone in it or not. I drove by.
I was doing the crossword puzzle when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone take the next chair over.
"So .. Denny ... I hear you're a grandfather." Gordon.
I looked over at him. He'd changed his hair color and grown a goatee. He'd gotten a tan. It looked like he'd put on some weight, too. He grinned at me.
"Hey, Gordon, long time no see. Uh .. yeah .. I'm a grandfather. In fact, tomorrow is the Christening. But I don't .... how do you know these things?"
His grin widened - if that's possible.
"Sorry, D, but I can't tell you. Trade secrets, you know. Anyway, I just stopped by to personally congratulate you. I know I left a card back in April but I've been feeling that that was too impersonal a gesture."
He looked at his watch then stood.
"Gotta go. Company's coming. Stay well, my friend."
I watched him walk towards Nordstrom's then turn into the exit for Barnes & Noble's.
I spent another 15 minutes on my puzzle, but I couldn't finish it. I went back to my car. As I opened the door I heard tires screeching. Looking up, I saw a black SUV pull in and stop. Doyle got out of the passenger side, looking worried.
"Doyle, what's going on?"
He ignored the question. "Denny, did anyone inside approach you, you know, talk to you or anything?"
"A guy asked me if I knew what time the stores opened and then what time it was. Just that."
"What did he look like?"
I paused a minute, weighing the situation, and then described how Gordon looked.
"Doyle, man, what's this all about?"
" Gordon's tracker popped on about a half an hour ago. He was here, somewhere in the mall. We thought he was still down in Delaware and .. you know ... with all the recent shootings and stuff we're kinda stretched pretty thin. We got here as fast as we could because I know you spend some time here on Saturdays with the paper."
The driver from the SUV called to Doyle and he went over and spoke for a few minutes. When he came back he looked at me and shrugged.
"We had units at all the mall exits at the same time I got here but no one's sounding optimistic, Denny. I put the description you gave me out but it may be too little too late."
"Wait ... Are you saying that the guy who asked about the time was Gordon? He didn't look like any picture you've ever showed me and he certainly didn't look like the same guy I saw that one time years ago."
"I know. The guy's become a freakin' chameleon!" He rubbed his face with his hands then ran them back through his hair.
"Hey ... Doyle ... take it easy man."
"Yeah ... yeah ... I know. I'm just frustrated is all." He took a few deep breathes then cracked his neck. "Look, why don't you just go and do what you were goin' to do. I'll let you know what happens. Besides, don't you have your granddaughter's christening coming up?"
It was my turn to grin, now. "Yep, it's tomorrow. Should be nice. I'm just hoping that the rain holds off until later. Thanks for asking."
"No problem, Den. Take care of yourself, alright?"
"You too, Doyle."
We shook hands. He got back in the SUV and drove off. I got into my car. I looked at the clock on the dash. It was only 10:30.
I decided to head for the library in Metuchen. I took Route 1 to Amboy and turned right. Just ahead I saw this woman walking towards the overpass.
The opportunity presented itself.
Point, press, Flash.
I stayed on Amboy, made the right onto Main, then the right onto Library Street. I parked and, as I was closing the windows, I noticed this young man. He was pacing back and forth and smoking a cigarette.
I happen to know that there's a sign by the front door that says that this is a smoke-free area. I started the car, lowered the windows, and inched up. I looked around. It was just me and the smoker.
Point, press, Flash.
I drove away, took some back streets, and wound up back in Edison. I headed for home.
It's interesting to think how a few minutes, earlier or later, can make a difference - can result in a different outcome. I guess that the old saying is right. Timing is everything.
