My hero for today...

The store manager at the Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor. Here's the situation.

Last night i drove down to Toledo to visit my friend Sarah (from Kolkata who happened to be in Toledo for a conference...it was wonderful to see her. really, wonderful. what a gift).

This morning i woke up and started driving up to Flushing to visit my friend Merilee who is in MI for the weekend.

I stopped in Ann Arbor to go to Trader Joes (one of my fav stores).

I went to unlock the trunk, and my key broke/bent...and no longer worked.

I called my house.
I called my sister's cell.
I called my parents' cell.
i called merilee's cell.
mulitple times for all these calls.
NO ANSWER!

I called Kia roadside assistance, got a hold of the Kia dealer in Ann Arbor - their parts department would have to make a key for me, and they won't be in until Monday (not really helpful...Kia...you don't even get "an A for effort" when people need car keys they need them NOW, not on Monday).

I can't bend the key back with my finger (plus, its breaking, not just bending, so i'm a little nervous about putting it in my ignition). I go back into Trader Joes. I figure they may have tools that could help me out. The guy manages to bend my key back enough so that it will fit in my ignition.

I drive home, get my spare key (it was a "do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars, go straight home to get the key that works before anything else happens and then you're really in trouble" situation in my mind).

Now i'm off to Lowe's to see if they can cut a key for me (i'm not sure they can, but i at least have 1 functional key right now)...and then up to Flint.

the long way around to say the least!

thank you trader joe's manager. thank you. i don't know your name...but you are today's hero.