Limits

[fbhjr]

Saturday when we were going off to visit my aunt, we saw a man who had run out of gas.
It was very hot (95F/35C), he was walking up a hill on the road without shade.
I knew there was a gas station at the top of the hill, but it was about a mile (1.6km) away.
So, we stopped, gave him a ride to the gas station and then dropped him off at his car again.
No worried.

Last night one of our friends called to tell me his car broke down while he was bringing his family to see the fireworks. He asked if I could give him a ride home.
I told my wife, then got in the car and drove to the next town to get him. (Turned out he found a neighbor there who was able to give him a ride and I didn’t need to.)
Still, this guy has come to Florida with us to do shows, he’s helped out for all of Phoenix Swords’ history, I have no problem with it.

While I was waiting for the fire works to end and pick up our friend, someone came up to my car window.
“Can I borrow your phone?” he asked. “I just need to make a quick call.”
I was in my car. He was standing there on the city street. I’m not saying he intended to grab my phone and run away with it. But, I’m sure both he and I knew if he did I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough to stop him.
“Sorry, waiting for my friend to call,” I said. “I’ve driven into the city to pick him up and he’s going to call me as soon as he knows where I should meet him. I don’t want to miss that call.”
(This was all true, but not really my point.)
“It will only take me a minute!”
“My friend is going to call any time now.”
The phone rang. It was my friend.
“See? He’s calling. I’ve got to go now.”
I rolled up my window, started the car and drove off.

So, there is my limit.
Strangers on the side of the road? I’ll give you a lift to the gas station.
Friend broken down one town away? I’ll come and get you.
Stranger who wants to use my $1100 phone? Nope.

I think the line is in a good place there…