I have always fancied myself a good sort, never greedy or grasping. Whenever Ive had something to share with those who might need it, Ive given it away without a second thought. Sometimes you ought to share with your fellows that old chestnut straight from the Good Book.
So, one day, I resolved to give away a jacket of mine, no strings attached. Perhaps someones freezing, while it just gathers dust in my cupboard. Id worn it only a couple of times. It hadnt cost me a fortune.
Anyway, I decided to pop an advert on one of those local online groups. It wasnt long before a woman messaged me privately, and we agreed to meet at nine oclock in the evening.
Then, as if time was all muddled, the bell rang at midnight, deep in the heart of the night.
Whos there?
You promised me the jacket. We agreed for nine, but now its midnight. Dont you think people sleep at this hour? Lets do this tomorrow.
No, not tomorrow. I want it today!
She was nearly shouting through the door, bold as brass. In the end, I felt compelled to give her the jacket. As I handed it over, she told me quite bluntly:
Im not about to try it on out here, you know I need a proper go.
What was there to test, I wondered? Its free, for goodness sake.
Should I pop into a shed and try it on? At least let me come up to your flat.
My kids are asleep.
Right, Ill just nip up in the lift then.
She snorted, took the jacket without so much as a thank you, and vanished into the blinking corridor lights.
Despite it all, I gave the jacket over. But Ive never seen cheek like it, not in all my born days. I decided then and there: never again. People, it seems, just dont value a kind gesture.
