Down and Out in Amazon's America

Down and Out in America's Amazon

"Do you really mean that?"

"I never want to see you again. You killed my husband, now get the hell out of here, and take that package with you."

"Damn, lady I'm only here to make a delivery." Benny couldn't believe this, everyone wanted to see the Amazon delivery man. Somedays, he felt like Santa Claus with all the adulation he got from the people he delivered to. What the hell was wrong with this woman?

"You killed my husband."

"What are you talking about? I've never killed anyone. I didn't know your husband."

Benny ran back to his truck. They didn't pay him enough to deal with this kind of crap.

Doris Blanchard left the package on the porch and went back inside. Who would ever even think about sending her a package from Amazon? Barney, her now-deceased husband, had run a thriving electronics business for decades. They weren't rich, but comfortable. They raised two kids and owned a nice house in a pleasant neighborhood.

Life was good until computers, Amazon, and online shopping came along. The change came slowly the store's profits sank year after year until Barney had no choice but to close his beloved business. Barney had tried to explain to Doris what was happening to his business. He said, "Why buy a TV from his store where the customers had a limited choice of maybe five or six TV models? The customer could go online to Amazon and select from a TV inventory of hundreds. With a single click, the television is promptly delivered to their residence the following day."

About six months after Barney's store went under, he died. Doris believed if there was such a thing as a broken heart it had killed her beloved husband. The store was his life and now they were both gone.

After getting back into the house she began to feel bad about how she had treated the Amazon delivery guy. She realized it had been childish of her to have lashed out at someone only trying to make a living. Lord knows that pig Bezos wasn't out and about making deliveries. Doris was having a bad day; it was Doris and Barney's wedding anniversary.

Benny was still confused when he returned to the depot. He'd finished his deliveries after the woman accused him of murder, but he remained shaken. He liked his job; he made enough to support a nice life for his wife and son. Unlike every other job he'd had, the family had health insurance and stability. The bosses pushed them hard; Benny didn't mind.

A few days later Benny had to make a delivery on Doris's block. Benny kept his eyes open looking out for the crazy lady. "Oh, shit, here she comes," he said under his breath. He didn't see a weapon and she was smiling.

"Hello, I'm sorry about the other day. I hate Amazon but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm deeply sorry."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

Both went on their way smiling.