csix // chuck dwells here

As I sit here in the only available seat in the far corner of this coffee shop, I think back about 24 years to a very distinct childhood memory: being sent to the corner in kindergarten.

We were told to stand in a circle and then make the circle as big as we could while still holding hands. So we backed up. And kept going. As I backed up, I accidentally kicked some really big stuffed animal. Everyone started pointing and yelling “OOOOOOOOHHHHH”, and the teacher made me stand in the corner.

I had no idea what the hell was going on, but there I was, bawling in the corner. Of course, as a child you can’t control your sense of speech as you sob, with some unexplained breathing reflex kicking in that gets you all snotty and sniffly until you’re one big mucus-laden mess. I don’t even remember the aftermath.

I didn’t change a thing, and I was never again sent to the corner. Since I didn’t devolve into a life of crime and extended prison stays since then, I guess it was an isolated incident.

I’ve found myself picking up more and more checks in recent years. Not because there’s a mountain of cash i’m plowing my way through, but because I like the company. And maybe something else.

I wouldn’t call it a show of force, but it’s politics. People will be nicer to you if you pay for things, whether they want you to or not.

Donate to someone’s cause. Pay for dinner. Buy an unnecessary gift. Suddenly whatever conflicts you had recently become a little more buried, a little less important. You move on. And you probably got yourself another mulligan.

Because, really, goodwill is worth its weight in gold.

So yesterday I forgot that it was my mom’s birthday. Worse, they were having a celebration at home and I didn’t get out of the office until very late.

At someone’s wise suggestion, I picked up flowers in Glen Park on the way back. I walked in, the fact that I was late was glossed over and all was forgiven.

It made me think of other times I had to do a make-good. From making up for lateness and offending people to accidental affronts and cockblocks, we’ve all been there. My penance has run the gamut from dinners and lunches to coffee and beer (particularly).

In the end, everyone’s happy and all actions are accounted for. We do what we can.