Bug and I did some shopping in "Famously Hot" today, spending way too much time looking for the perfect button. Don't ask. Anyway, we had the strangest encounter at Sears.
This particular location is going out of business and EVERYTHING was on mad sale. While pondering a particular purchase (oooh - alliteration!), a woman near me scoured boxes for prices. I, being ever-so helpful, told her some of the tags I did find for similar products. She, being ever-so friendly, commented that she was unsure if she could bother, that she was never good at assembling stuff. She then went on to say that, looking in my cart (where Bug was hanging out), she assumed I was married and would have help with assembling. I laughed a little and [DIDN'T SAY I WAS THE HANDY ONE] said that my husband was better at other things; assembling usually resulted in a lot of yelling. har har
I should have specified, "at the item being assembled."
What came next was a full five minutes of TMI. She said that her ex-husband would yell and hit. Eyes wide, I told her it sounded like a Very Good Thing that he was an ex.
But she wasn't finished. She mentioned injuries from which she still suffered. She told me how he was super nice to her for the years they dated, and that he failed to mention to her that his father was abusive to his mother.
All the while, I'm trying to gracefully and tactfully GET THE HELL AWAY from her. Bug was right there, and while I suppose I could appreciate the segue she provided to have a serious conversation with Bug, it really wasn't appropriate for her to go on in this way in front of a kid.
It's people like this that make me think twice about being helpful in public. This woman with her horrible tale to tell to any ear that would listen may have just completely broken my holiday good will.
And I'm still left with the need for an uncomfortable discussion with Bug, which may just happen in a minute over a couple clementines.
That's even more disturbing than the woman next to me in line at the Southwest gate (also a good place to meet the crazies!) who, within five minutes of my saying a generic "hi," managed to relay the information that a) her ex-husband was a cheater who lied to their kids all the time; and b) she was 55 years old and still ovulating. The fuh?
Posted by: Kirsten | 2008.12.22 at 03:57 PM
Think about the character building bug is getting. Think about how much more interesting your day got. Think about how you didn't have to think of anything to blog. In fact I bet your fingers were itching to get on here and blather all about it!
Ovulating? Really? Did you find her a sperm donor to help her out with her problem?
Posted by: Amber | 2008.12.22 at 10:20 PM
Bug was oblivious to the conversation. When I asked her casually her thoughts on that lady in the store, she asked me what I was talking about. Shouldn't be surprised by that; she started acting really crazy while we were at the register and crashed on the ride home. Girl was tired.
Posted by: mrtl | 2008.12.23 at 01:14 AM
Apparently you can get sued now for being helpful (according to the California Supreme Court.)
Posted by: William | 2008.12.23 at 08:41 AM
I don't remember what prompted it, but I remember having to have a conversation about domestic violence with LG when she was not quite 3. I do recall telling her that if any boy ever hit her, she must tell Mama right away, and I would "squash him like a bug." There was even a quiz; she had to answer, "What will Mama do to him?" "Squash him like a bug." That's right. Still true.
Glad your Bug didn't take it all in.
Posted by: Susie | 2008.12.23 at 04:14 PM