I Can’t Believe This Happened to Me

Coffee Creek Corner Phillips 66 and Ronaldo Perales

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You may be scratching your head wondering, is she reviewing a gas station quick stop? The next question you may be asking yourself is, "Why?"

Keep reading to find out the embarrassing event that warrants Coffee Creek Corner, located at 329 EAST COVELL RD, EDMOND, OK, 73034, and Ronaldo Perales, an employee, the Medicare Jet-Setter Groovy Rating.

Coffee Creek Corner Phillips 66 is my favorite place to get gas. A big part of that reason is because of Ronaldo Perales. When he is behind the counter, you can always count on a big smile, and he remembers the little things. He always knows how I like to do my lottery tickets. Now that's customer service.

On Friday, March 19th, I pulled my red Buick in perfect alignment with the gas pump. I swiped my credit card and put the nozzle in. Standing at the pump, I felt a chilly wind. I was cold. I decided to sit in my car because this was going to take a while. My tank was almost empty. In my warm cozy vehicle, I picked up my phone and started scrolling through Facebook.

My message notification dinged. It was my daughter Ginger. She sent me pictures of her new hairstyle. I was admiring how pretty she looked and wanted to call her. I heard the click from the pump. Good, my tank was full.

I pulled out and immediately told my car phone to dial Ginger. We were talking about her new highlights when a black SUV started honking at me. The next thing I knew, the people in the van had unrolled their windows and were videotaping me on their phones. They were laughing so hard I am sure one of them would have had to wet their pants. I was getting worried. Were they going to do something to me? Was I in danger?

I raised my hand, and with the meanest look I could muster, I gave them the go-on gesture. That didn't stop the group in the car. They pulled their car in a position that forced me to stop. I was so scared.

One of the young men yelled at me at the top of his lungs, but he was still laughing so hard I couldn't understand him. I wasn't very far from the gas station I had just left. I decided to play it safe and go back.

I pulled up to the front and decided I needed to get my wits about me. I would go in and buy a lottery ticket from Ronaldo. That is when I saw it.

Hanging from my gas tank opening was the nozzle from the pump still inserted and the hose dragging behind it. OMG, I never took the nozzle out!

I sat frozen in my car. I was so embarrassed. Finally, I got the nerve to go in and confess. With my head hanging low, I glanced up at Ronaldo's sweet smile and said, "I did something bad."

I had his attention.

He came out from behind the counter and placed his hand on my arm, and asked, "What did you do?"

By this time, I was a distraught mess. When I explained what happened, Ronaldo said, "Don't worry. You are not the first person to do this."

Then he added, "You are the first person who has ever done it on my shift, though."

Another man was in the store listening to my story. He chuckled and said, "You are Rose from the Golden Girls."

I was not in the mood for humor, and I didn't understand why in the world he called me Rose. I saw my reflection in the window, that explained his joke. I had my golden girl's mask on.

Ronaldo and I walked together to take the nozzle and hanging hose out of my car. Then we went to check the pump. Ronaldo checked for any gas leaking or possible hazards. Seeing none, he called his manager.

"What now?" I asked, almost in tears.

"Just go home and relax. It's all OK. We can fix it," said Ronaldo.

As I drove home, I panicked. Was this a sign of dementia?

Natalie Johnson came over that weekend. She explained that gas pumps now have a break-away device that detached the hose automatically if it is pulled with enough force. Inside the device is a valve that shuts off the fuel flow whenever the connection is broken. The break-away joint can be reconnected, and the pump put back into service.

After Natalie told me about the break-away device, I felt better. It also meant that many people must do this for someone to need to invent it. Maybe I didn't have dementia after all.

I was not sure I could face going back to my favorite quick shop/gas station again. I knew I must. Ronaldo had been so kind to me.

I walked in, not wearing my Golden Girls mask, but my Mickey Mouse Mask, and thanked Ronaldo for his kindness and understanding. He grinned his beautiful grin and said, "I respect people and treat people with respect."

Ronaldo is a good employee and a true gentleman. I told him I wanted to write this story about him. I also warned him when the MJ ladies saw his picture, he may gain a bunch of Senior Citizen Female customers.

With his quick wit, he said, "Good. More customers for the store. Young or Old, I like all our customers."

Now that's customer service.

Not only does Coffee Creek Corner Phillips 66 have great employees they also help the Veterans. They have a donation jar for Wounded Warriors sitting on their counter.

Coffee Creek Corner Phillips 66 and Ronaldo Perales

Get a Medicare Jet-Setters Groovy Rating