So, I was out today, running some errands, per usual.  The girls were with my parents as I had gone to get a haircut earlier in the day.  I had to make a quick detour to get some milk for my parents on my way to their house, so I pulled into the Food Lion up the street from them.  Say what you will about Food Lion — yes, it’s  step up from Bottom Dollar *shudder* and a step down from everything else, but the one near my folks is more decent than most.  For those of you who aren’t from this region, the Food Lion is a grocery store probably on par with your more mediocre groceries.  Think one step up from Shopper’s Food Warehouse, equal with Acme or Shop Rite, something like that.

Anyway,  I maneuver the car into a spot, and careful not to door ding the car next to me when I get out.  I was a little closer than I would have liked, but so long as I didn’t fling the door open, I’d be alright. I get out of the car, lock it, and just double check that I didn’t inadvertently ding this little car — a nice BMW coupe — when I realize that the car is in fact running.  I peek inside, and being closer to the back of the car, I notice an infant carrier with a sleeping cherub strapped in.  I peek to the front, ostensibly to smile at the driver, who was probably looking me look at the baby, and to my surprise, guess what I saw?

No one in the driver’s seat.
No one in the passenger’s seat.
No one in the car.
Except the baby in the infant carrier.

Really? In 2010, this is acceptable? Now, before I get on my soapbox, I will cough up a few mea culpeas, as I have left the girls in the car unattended once or twice.  Granted, I was always within eyesight, windows down, and never for more than the time it takes to get out of the car, and drop an envelope in a mailbox in front of the post office.  Does that make it right? No.  Will I do it again? Not a chance.

I debated about whether or not to call 911 or to just go in the store and talk to customer service.  I figured that by the time I called 911 and gave the make, model, and license plate number, the person would be back out in the parking lot.  I really didn’t want to have a tête–à–tête with the driver.  In my mind’s eye, I saw some woman getting up in my face wanting to take me to task about putting my nose in where it didn’t belong.  

Yeah, I didn’t feel like being a lead for a local news story, so I ended up going with the latter, flagging down the first Food Lion employee I could find.  She, in turn, directed me to customer service.  I went right up to the front, interrupting the transaction that was taking place to inform them of what was going on.  The customer service rep said, “Oh dear.” and then finished her transaction.

Now, I’m not one to make a scene. I feel like here is where my act of being a good Samaritan ended.  But, seriously! Hello!?  I mean, didn’t y’all see that episode of CSI where the dad left the baby in the car by mistake and it got like 350 Kelvin in there? I waited a few beats and said to myself, “Okay, I’m only in here for some milk.  When I’m done, if that car is still there, then I guess I’mma have to get brolic.”

Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.  By the time I checked out, the first clerk that I had spoken to told me that the woman actually checked out in her line, then just moseyed out to her car and drove off.  The customer service person came over and echoed that statement, adding, “Yeah, she weren’t too worried about it.” (yes, she said ‘were’n’t).

All I could do was shake my head. The cashier continued to talk about it, saying she felt that people should have to have a license to have children.  After instances like this, that’s a petition I’d sign.