It\u2019s funny how a year can pass and still bring you right back to a moment you thought was long gone.
Last year, after the Championship Handicap at the Ohio State Shoot, Randy, Steve, and I packed up and headed home toward West Virginia. We were tired, hungry, and ready to get moving, so we stopped for a late lunch on the way.
When we ordered, Randy reached for his money clip to pay \u2014 but I beat him to it. He gave me that look he always gives when he gets scooped, but he didn\u2019t argue. The three of us sat down, ate, talked about the day, and then got back on the road.
Later that evening, after we all made it home, my phone rang. It was Randy \u2014 and I could hear it in his voice before he even said the words.
He\u2019d lost his money clip.
Not a few bucks \u2014 over a thousand dollars. He\u2019d already torn his truck apart, checked every pocket, every bag. Nothing. The only place it could\u2019ve been was that restaurant. He called them, hoping someone had turned it in, but no one had.
I felt bad for him. Steve felt bad. But Randy took it the hardest. Losing that much money hurts, but losing it because you were distracted for ten seconds? That sticks with a man. We all tried to move on, but it never fully left the back of our minds.
Fast\u2011forward to today \u2014 almost exactly one year later.
We were back at the Ohio State Shoot, walking into AJ\u2019s Supplies to pick up ammo and reloading components. Roger Brenner, the owner, spotted Randy and walked straight toward him with purpose.
\u201cDid you lose something?\u201d
Randy froze. Finally Randy said, \u201cWell\u2026 I lost a money clip last year on the way home. Had a lot of money in it.\u201d
Roger nodded.
\u201cYou left it on the counter.\u201d
Roger explained that as soon as they realized Randy had walked off without it, he jumped on a golf cart and tore off trying to catch us \u2014 but we were already gone. He kept it safe all year, waiting for the day we walked back to his stand.
Then he handed it to Randy.
Same clip. Same cash.
Every dollar still inside \u2014 more than $1,700, which none of us had realized at the time.
Randy was stunned. We were stunned. Roger just smiled like it was nothing \u2014 like honesty is still supposed to be the default.
And that\u2019s the truth of it:
There are still good people in this world. And in the trapshooting community \u2014 shooters, vendors, supporters \u2014 they\u2019re some of the best you\u2019ll ever meet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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