When It Mattered Most, AAA Was There

April Capone of North Branford, Connecticut, shares her story about how AAA has been there for her in the eight years that she’s been a member.

The AAA team member arrived at the retail parking lot to find me barely holding back tears next to my car with the keys locked inside.

This was something that had never happened to me until I started going through a messy divorce. I was so stressed that this was the third time I had locked my keys in the car in six weeks.

The driver saw how upset I was and reassured me it was no problem. Through my distress I exclaimed: ‘But this happened yesterday!’ He said, ‘you’ve been waiting since yesterday?’ I explained that no, this was the second time in two days that I had locked my keys in the car, and I had also done it a few weeks before. It was unlike me, and I felt dumb, irresponsible and guilty.

He said, ‘April, that’s why we are here, and you know what? If you do it again tomorrow, or even later today, we’ll come back to help you. It’s OK.’

I felt so relieved by his kindness that, as I thanked him, I burst into tears. By this time, my car was open … He told me it was going to be OK.

Later that afternoon, he texted to check up on me. He was so incredibly kind and thoughtful that I think about him often.

I haven’t locked my keys in the car since, but I know that, if I do, AAA will be there to help with kindness and compassion.”

For more stories like this — or to share your own — visit “Hey, AAA!,” our collection of member-submitted emails, photos and videos that capture the real moments AAA has been a part of.