Keep the Change

I have a wrist watch that’s been sitting in a basket on my kitchen counter needing repair for some time.  One of the pins that holds the band to the watch broke and I’ve been meaning to get it replaced for several months, it just hasn’t been a priority because let’s face it, most people don’t need a time piece on their wrist any longer since we have a very precise clock in our smartphones.

However, it’s a nice watch and I decided I would take some time over the weekend to find a repair shop and get the pin replaced, so after doing a search on watch repair I decided to visit the L. E. Estrada Watch and Jewelry Repair shop.  It’s a very small business in a very small strip center in an out-of-the-way part of town.

When I got there the door was locked with a hand written note on the door instructing me to knock.  I didn’t find this odd because most jewelry places keep their doors locked because the bad guys like to target places like this.

After a minute I heard the door unlock and little old man opened the door.  I went in and I could tell it was a family owned business and the gentleman who opened the door was Mr. Estrada himself.  There were two other people in the shop already so after locking the door again Mr. Estrada went back to his task of servicing his customers. 

The shop was very small with lots of interesting clocks on the walls that reminded me of my childhood and our cuckoo clock from which a bird would spring out every hour and loudly cuckoo the number of times that matched the hour it was announcing.

After a bit Mr. Estrada came to me and I showed him my watch.  In broken English he said he could fix it, and after a few minutes he returned with my watch fully repaired.  I asked how much and was told $1.50.  Of course I don’t carry cash, because it’s not 1998, so I pulled my card out only to be told “cash only.”

I told him to hang on to the watch and I’d go find an ATM, but instead he handed it to me and kindly said “you pay me later.”  I could tell from his smile that he was basically telling me that it was only a buck and a half so don’t worry about it and just take the watch.

I appreciate people who are gracious, and I could tell Mr. Estrada was the type to give people a break, even if it cost him money.  So I left and immediately pulled out my iPhone and asked Siri to find an ATM.  I’m a grace filled person too, and I was going to ensure Mr. Estrada was paid for his work. 

So I followed Siri’s directions to the nearest bank which turned out to be completely wrong.  She led me into a residential neighborhood and then as I sat at a stop sign surrounded by nothing but houses she announced that I had arrived at the bank.  “Siri you suck at directions!” I said to her and she replied “Now now, I’m only trying to help.”

Feeling a little ashamed that I just berated a non-existent person I did a manual search for an ATM and a mile later I was at my destination.  It took a few seconds to recall my pin number because it’d been a long time since I needed cash, and as I stepped through the menus to extract my money it came to a screen that said I would be charged $2.50 because we’re the bank and we can do whatever we want.  Sucka!

I stood for a few seconds looking at the screen and thinking that I was about to spend $2.50 to get $1.50 to give to someone who told me he didn’t need it.  What was I doing!?  But that answer was easy, I was doing the right thing even if it cost me. 

I got the money and bought something small so I could break up the $20 bill and returned to the shop.  The surprise when Mr. Estrada opened the door to find me holding two $1 bills was worth the effort.  I handed him the money and said “keep the change,” and he just stood there with a confused look on his face as I told him to have a great day and walked back to my car.

It’s the simple things that can mean the most to people, and although my watch repair probably ended up costing me almost $5 in gas, time and the ATM fee, it was really worth it to know that I made someone happy that day.

“God, thanks for putting Mr. Estrada in my path, and for the opportunity to test my grace.  But most of all thanks for instilling in me the desire to go the extra mile to do the best, right thing.”