With Open Eyes

The Southerner

Everyday my mother and I take a short walk around town just to get out. Same walk, same town, same community. Leaves were fluttering around my face as I pranced around the sidewalk. My mom was looking at a store window while shopping for my upcoming 7th birthday. While she did this I was free to observe the people rushing about preparing for Thanksgiving that was approaching fast. I followed my mom as she walked into the store holding tightly to my hand.

"Stay nearby Ellie." She commanded.

I nodded my head as she wandered around the small store, sorting through everything. I wandered slowly around the store before coming across the cashier. I walked closer to see a man yelling at the cashier who listened quietly. It seemed as if something the man had purchased from this store wasn't working and now he was angry.

"IT DOESN'T WORK. IS THERE A REASON YOU SELL BROKEN MERCHANDISE!?" The man yelled.

"Sir please calm down so we can discuss this with manners." The cashier asked politely.

This only seemed to make the man more angry as he yelled, "YOU STUPID IDIOT! DO YOU HAVE A DISABILITY??? I'm assuming so I mean aren't you from the south. They marry their cousins right?" He snapped.

My mind wandered as I listened to them argue...
The cashier was from the south. Not only did they marry their cousins they had children with them too. They talk with accents that are completely odd. They basically only drink sweet tea and eat fried chicken. People from the south are known for their short tempers and small brains. They are known to be uneducated and spend most of their time taking care of their farms.

The longer I listened the more I heard about "people from the south." After agreeing to replace the broken object the customer promptly left the store with a smile. Frowning, I walked up to the cashier and forced a smile for him. His answering smile was all I needed as he began to chat happily and ask me about my day.

Charlie Montgomery. From Houston Texas, and one of the nicest people in town. He moved here at 17 and has lived here for 20 years now. His family thought it'd be a nice change of scenery for them all. He bought this store a couple years ago and has been successfully running it since then. Every Christmas he even opens his doors to the homeless for a dinner. My mom enjoys his store because it is full of different knick knacks that are always interesting. He always welcomes us with a big smile and heart.

"Here ya go Ellie." Charlie murmurs as he hands me a lollipop.

"Thanks Charlie!" I replied happily, "I'm sorry that man was so mean."

He smiled softly at me before replying, "It's alright darlin. Just memeber that you is nice. Stay the way you is."

I giggled at him as my mom came over and ruffled my hair, "Hello Charlie." She smiled.

"Hello ma'am." He replied before packing up my mother's buys and handing them over, "You take care of yer girl. She's gotta smart head."

My mother smiled at me and agreed before moving on. Holding tightly to my hand we walked down the sidewalk onto our next destination. I looked back at Charlie as he leaned unhappily over the broken object. If only that man had known what a nice man he was maybe he would have been nicer. Why did he say those mean things?