Gold Dollar Guy

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.