Another darn problem! Nothing is going right today, simply nothing! The smallest of tasks has me beating my head against the wall. Now it’s the darn printer with a jammed piece of paper! Calm yourself, Sunita. It’s not the first time. Besides, it’s a straightforward fix. Pull the sheet out slowly and gently, and reset the machine.

Oh, but not this time! This time, a tiny scrap is hanging in its clutches, and I cannot reach it.

Good ole Google–it has a solution for all problems. Its answer requires the printer to be taken apart. It’s a layer-by-layer process to remove the irritating wisp. Then, put it back together again, layer by layer. No way am I going to mess with this can of worms! It’s got to be simpler than this.

A phone call to a major electronics store seems to be a good step forward. I explain the printer problem and am directed to its store twenty-six miles away. A time slot is available within the next couple of hours. The one closer to me, only eight miles away, has the first available time slot a few days later.

That’s my luck! Option one offers a faster solution. Unplugging the printer and wiping its dusty back clean, I carefully lift and stow it in the trunk of my car.

Now I’m at the store, standing in a line, holding the printer in my arms. I arrive early for fear of missing my allocated time slot. It gets heavier by the minute, and I fear it will be a long wait. I’m trying to stay calm, but it isn’t straightforward. This precious, not-so-little baby in my arms is awkward to hold. There’s a motley of people around me, and while I typically enjoy people-watching, not so much right now. Carrying this heavy load, my arms sag. The printer keeps slipping, and I heave it up now and then.

Try to think positive thoughts, I tell myself. This load is good. I missed my weight training this morning. Remember, I was trying to pry out a teeny-weeny jammed bit of paper? So relax, it’s all good! I am doing my workout now, standing in line. So I tell myself and drift towards positivity.

But not for long! A technician approaches me.

“What’s the problem?”

“A paper jam which I cannot extract myself.”

“We don’t do printers here.”

“What?” My jaw dropped, and I stared at him. “Your person directed me here, to this branch, twenty-six miles away. Not to the store, eight miles away from me, but this one.”

He apologizes and says he is very sorry but cannot help me.

“Why? Don’t you have the tools? A little screwdriver?”

“Very sorry, but we don’t do printers here.”

So much for positive thinking! Seething and shaking, I head for the door. A young man hastens from behind to open and hold it for me. I thank him, and he asks, “What’s wrong with the printer?”

Glowering at the world, I scowl, “Paper jam.”

“Did they fix it?” he asks.

“No, of course not,” with a black look and a growl. I’m still fuming.

He gives me a cautious, side-long look. “I can fix it,” he says.

I think he is kidding, maybe making fun of me. I jerk my head to look up at him, and, no, it does not look like he is kidding.

“Really?” This is surprising.

“Yes, my car is in the parking lot, and I have some tools.”

We walk towards it. He opened the trunk and retrieved a screwdriver set. I set the printer on the trunk. What a relief to unload that! With a screwdriver in hand, the young man tries to unscrew the back of the printer. The tool is not quite doing the job; it keeps slipping. He gives it a few more tries but has no success. “Target is next door; let me get a new set–I need one, anyway.” I offer to drive him there, but he thinks he can get there faster. Faster than driving? Lifting the trunk a bit, he pulls out a skateboard and drops it to the ground. I can only say a taken-aback “oh,” even as he hops on it and glides away.

I stare, fascinated, as he sails away gracefully. I recall the time I coasted downhill on my bike – sheer exhilaration! Ah, skateboarding! Suddenly, I wish I had this skill.

I’m waiting and puzzling at this turn of events. Even though the printer hasn’t been fixed yet, I’m amazed at how eager this guy is to help!

The new screwdriver set works well. I look around while he fiddles with the printer. “When was the last time you fixed any computer equipment in the parking lot of an electronics store?”

He pauses thoughtfully, “Never.” Another pause. “I used to work for the same computer store, but now I work for a software development company. What do you do?”

“I have just retired from teaching IT at USF after fifteen fun-filled years.” And hasten to add, “I loved every minute!”

After a bit of exploring the innards of the printer, he finally fixes it. That pesky little piece of paper is out. Awesome! He loads the printer into the trunk of my Tesla.

While inspecting the car, he laughs out loud. “Wow! This dashboard is nothing more than a good-sized computer screen.”

Yep! That’s precisely what it is.

After all, the car is nothing more than a computer on wheels! Thanking him for his help, we say our goodbyes.

Driving out of the parking lot, realization dawns and I slam on the brake! I don’t even know this young man’s name! And mentally kick myself. I could have offered to pay him for his help or at least offered to pay for the new screwdriver set! In an instant, I turn around and see he’s still parked in his car, checking phone messages. Shaking my head, I knock on the window and apologize for not even asking his name. I offer to pay, but he refuses.

“I’m Jake,” he waits.

“I’m Sunita.”

“You’re teaching IT to my brethren. That is more than enough compensation!”

Anyway, we exchange text messages, so we are connected.

The next day, I text and invite him and his girlfriend for an Indian dinner. He informs me they love Indian cuisine! Fixing a date takes a few weeks, and then dinner is ready. The menu includes samosas, rice pilaf, chicken tikka masala, cauliflower, and potatoes. Aloo parathas, a kachumber salad, and gulab jamuns round up a mini feast.

Mummy used to say priti se bhojan banao (cook with love). I have prepared this meal with joy and lots of warmhearted feelings.

And what a sparkling evening it is! This, despite the age differences–add both their ages, they still fall short of mine.

A delightful evening ends too soon. Before we know it, we are saying goodbyes amidst promises to do it again! I hope we do. A paper jam leads to a chance encounter with a skateboarder, sharing a meal, experiences, and magical moments.