I looked up and there she was, smiling at me with a squashed-cockroach grin.
Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping I had been browsing a department store’s offerings early one morning. Sale items were piled here and there on shelves and hangers, tempting buyers to unleash their monies and take them home. In a hurry, I wanted to get a few last minute gifts before getting back home ahead of the rush hour traffic. I admit I was in a tizzy that day and probably should have stayed home.
She didn’t say a word, just stood there staring right through me as if I were a ghost. My thoughts rambled into a frantic search for a name. Who was this woman?!
Search....search....search. Nothing solid...a few pauses, hesitations to process. No, that isn’t it...no, not her. Running out of data.... She looks so familiar but I can’t pull out a name. WHO IS SHE?!
Knowing I had only seconds before this woman would call my bluff, I shuffled my feet to change position, trying to shoulder her out of direct vision. I caught a quick glimpse of movement and shuddered. My bluff was over!
Pretending I had just noted her presence, I slowly pivoted my body full force towards her, ready to face a tongue lashing. Before I could utter a word, the woman chuckled out loud, "Oh my! That’s me!" (I hadn’t noticed the mirrored wall at all!)
Oh well, another senior moment. Have a nice day!
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