Being a Fan

My very first job was as a cashier/salesperson at Dobbs Ferry Pharmacy. It was there that I learned much too much information about everyone in my town. One can derive and infer a whole lot of intimate facts and details about people by what they purchase in a drug store.

And I was at the register one day when a man—Dr. Larry Woleck-- came into the store to purchase some tissues. At first I thought hmm why isn’t he acknowledging me?—I certainly know him. And then I realized that in truth I did not know him at all. Dr. Larry Woleck was a character on the soap opera One Life to Life. The guy standing in front of me was an actor. And while I saw him every day he could not see me from the other side of the television screen. We were strangers even though five days a week he spoke dialogue inside my family room.

Not too long ago I saw a woman in Kings Supermarket that I was rather friendly with years ago. Our children were in school together. When I met her glance I said Hi—but went about my food shopping. But out of the corner of my eye I could see she was staring at me and ultimately she came over. She said I weirdly feel like I talk to you every day. I read your blog and I enjoy it. Now that I see you standing here I am wondering if I am a creeper—has anyone ever said that to you before or am I just weird?

And because I didn’t want her to feel strangely about herself I lied and said yes—I hear that all the time-- even though I had not. And then to put her more at ease I followed up by saying in all candor the point of my blog is to share my thoughts—the fact that you feel like I am having a daily conversation with you is a compliment—it means my writing is doing its job. So no—you are not a creeper.

And after I rang up that box of tissues I told “Dr. Larry Woleck” that I was a fan of the show. And he thanked me and said keep watching—the storyline is going to get good next week. And then he walked away. And I felt so special—which is also the way I felt to know I had a “fan” reading my blog. Knowing you have fans makes being creative the best job ever—even better than discovering pharmaceutical secrets about your neighbors.