Bump It Forward

(I’m in the drive-thru of a popular fast food place next in line to the pay window. In the back seat, my six-year-old niece spills her drink. I reach back to help her, thinking I have the car in park, but it rolls forward, bumping the car in front of me. After the driver finishes her transaction, an employee comes out and motions for her to pull ahead a little bit, and both of them examine the back of her car.)

Employee: *looking at bumper* “I don’t see any damage.”

Driver: *also looks, gives me a big smile* “I think we’re okay!”

Me: “I’m SO sorry! Are you sure?”

Driver: *gives me two thumbs up* “Yup, we’re good!”

(She drives off and the employee goes back in and is at the pay window when I get there.)

Employee: “You don’t owe anything. The lady ahead of you paid for your order.”

Me: *flabbergasted* “After I hit her?”

Employee: “No, before you hit her.”

Me: *groans in embarrassment, seeing that the lady is long gone* “Well, then, all I can do is pay for the person behind me!”

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