There is one customer who always brightens my days. We know him as "Gold Dollar Guy". At first, the only word he would muster to me was "breadsticks". I would get him his dozen, take his money, give him his change and that was the extent of our conversation. I had heard of Gold Dollar Guy but never experienced him firsthand or been able to put a face to the name.
Once, a male coworker came up to me while I was helping Gold Dollar Guy and asked, "Do you know where the flathead screwdriver is?" I told him, and was incredibly shocked as I heard Gold Dollar Guy crack up laughing as he said "Now why would you ask a girl where the screwdriver is?" Besides being so surprised he spoke more than one word, I was slightly offended. I replied "Because I knew where it was and he didn't". He chuckled at my response and handed me a gold dollar. I thanked him and dropped it in our tip jar. He removed it, held his hand out and said "Here, this isn't a tip. It's for you, because ya know, you're a good kid". I now knew I had met Gold Dollar Guy for sure.
He continues to come in weekly for his one bag of breadsticks, although once I've witnessed him buy two. If I have bread bagged up under the heat lamp when he comes in and immediately place it on the counter, he replies "What took you so long?". Sometimes I just laugh or make a smart ass remark. The last time I jokingly exclaimed "You know what, Sir? I'm really sick of your impatience! I'm trying to go as fast as I can, God!" He laughed, handed me a gold dollar, said "Now that's not a tip, it's for you. You're a good kid".
Today I saw him once again, but today he handed me a silver dollar. I thanked him. It hit me that none of us knew Gold Dollar Guy's actual name. Before he left I asked him what his name was. He introduced himself as Keith, and I introduced myself as Sarah. He said that was his mother's name. A great woman she must have been, to have raised such a kind gentleman. Thanks to your mom Keith, and thanks for all the gold dollars. You're the highlight of my every work day.
