Tales For The Broken

Meijer man

I was 5.

He was 67.

We were friends.

Or at least that's how I remember it.

Every time My mum would go shopping at Meijer I made her take me.

I know it sounds strange.

For most kids, it was the other way around.

Their parents made them go.

But not me.

I always wanted to go so I could talk to him.

I don't know his name.

I knew/know him as the Meijer Man.

But he was the friendliest man I have ever met.

He had such a kind heart.

So much passion.

He worked at the glasses stand in Meijer.

While my mum waited in line to check out and while she checked out I would talk to him.

I would tell him things I could not tell my friends.

For I had none.

I would tell him about school

how the kids don't like me

how the teachers put me in a group to help me make friends

how I liked a boy that did not know I existed.

He always listened.

He always laughed at my jokes.

He smiled all the time.

He gave me advice.

It must have worked.

Because I have more friends right now than I ever have before.

I remember walking around his stand and trying on glasses

I would turn around like a model and he would laugh.

He was always happy.

He had such a friendly face.

He was nice to everyone even the jerks.

One time there was a man being not so nice.

And the Meijer man told him off.

My mum went to Meijer 2 times a week.

So I saw him 2 times a week.

I was 8.

He was 70.

I came to the store.

He was not there.

I asked where he was.

They said he was gone.

¨Gone where? When is he coming back?¨ I asked.

They told me he died.

That he had a heart attack.

That he was in a better place.

He was gone just like that.

No goodbye.

No nothing.

Just gone.

I cried.

I screamed.

¨Its not fair, I want him back¨

I punched and kicked.

I made a scene.

No one got near me until I was done.

Then my mum carried me out and spanked me when we got home.

I did not go to Meijer the next few weeks.

I did not talk to anyone in class.

The teachers did not know what was wrong with me.

Then my mum told me that she was going to Meijer.

She forced me to go.

I went to go to the glasses stand to see the new person.

but the glasses shop was gone

and in its place was a Starbucks.

I walked back to my mum crying.

She asked what happened.

I said nothing.

The Meijer man was gone and so was the Meijer Mans Stand.

I was a child.

And he was my friend.

My only friend.

A/N

This is a true story about me and the Meijer Man. He really was my only friend and then he was gone just like that. For a while, after he passed away I kind of gave up hope I was 8 and depressed. That's why I'm clingy because I don't want to lose anyone. That's why I have a fear of losing people. That's why I'm so annoying. That's why I get so scared when any of my friends are not at school.

I love you all! <3