Instead, she returned with the store manager, Edgar Delgado who brought the grabber tool with him.  He insisted on helping my wife and I and went to work.  After fifteen minute of trying every conceivable entry into the engine mounts, and with grease on his face, all over his arms and clothes, he decided the grabber was not going to work. 

In the blink of an eye, he slid under the car with even more grease on the ground and began trying to get at the elusive cap from under the car.  Another ten minutes passed and he came out with no luck.  It was really jammed into the mounts.  By this time, he is almost unrecognizable as the Auto Zone Manager.  He is covered in grease and sweat from head to toe.

Both my wife and I are feeling really guilty for subjecting him to this kind of abuse.  I sheepishly suggest that maybe I should buy another cap and I ask if he has one that will fit my car.  He says that he does, and if all else fails he will sell me one. 

Edgar Delgado is a rare breed by today's standards.  He has the tenacity of a Badger.  He tells us that there is only one way to get the cap.  He says that he was saving it for last, because the engine is still really hot.  I know this is true because I had previously poured bottled water on the engine mounts to see if I could cool it down enough to stick my hand in.  The water sizzled and evaporated. 

With little hesitation, this man who doesn't even know us, sticks his hand into the engine and in a couple of moments comes out with the cap.  He smiles and puts it back where it belongs.  He never mentions that he just suffered a nasty burn.  I bring up the burn in conversation and he tells me not to worry. 

Honestly, we are kind of dumb struck at what just happened.  We give the obligatory thank yous.  I try to hand him some money and he refuses.  He says that he is just doing his job- helping people who need it.  He does ask for something though- he makes us promise to come back to his store and see him if we need anything else.  We tell him that we will.  And for once, we really mean it.

This act of selfless kindness has at the very least, bought our loyalty to Edgar Delgado and Auto Zone.  In a world of indifference, where we all care so little about each other, what separates Edgar Delgado from all of the rest and why does he see the world so differently?  While it is true that Auto Zone actually encourages employees to leave the store and help customers who really need help.  No corporation has ever been able to create an Edgar Delgado.  This kind of compassion comes from the heart. 

The irony is, if we all treated one another as Edgar does in his life and at work, the world would become a better place for all of us.  If the short time I have known Edgar, he strikes me as the kind of guy who would run into a burning building to save a child's life and never think twice about it. 

Next time you are in Inglewood and need auto parts, stop in at Auto Zone.  Chances are you won't have to ask for Edgar, because in the blink of an eye he will be standing there with a warm smile.  You will hear, how may I help you and by now, you know he means it.