Several weeks ago while hanging out with the G-Man family we all took a trip to Kroger in The Mount. We needed to obtain the necessary grilling items: hot dogs, buns, beer, beans, potato salad, beer, chips, beer…well, you get the idea. The wife and I stepped down the aisle where they sell floats and towels and the like when I noticed a woman pushing a grocery cart that looked exceptionally familiar. It was a woman with her daughter that I had known back in high school.
No one would think this to be too odd since I was in the town in which I graduated from high school. The thing is that I NEVER run into people I know even back in The Mount. Well this fine day I ran in Mer-o. Mer-o and I were decent buds back in school. We shared several similar friends. She dated one of my buddies and I dated a girl that she was on the softball team with that she was sort of chummy with. We talked all the time in history class and yucked it up a lot, I think. As far as I can remember, it was purely a platonic relationship that never would have or could have gone anywhere else but us being good friends.
Since high school we may have seen each other fleetingly at a party or two in the ‘Boro. I think that many years ago an email or two to catch up was exchanged prior to her getting married and she is also one of my Facebook pals. That is basically our relationship in a nutshell.
Well, when I saw her that day pushing a cart, looking all wifely, with her beautiful daughter leading the way I instantly recognized her. Sure she was a bit older but hell, who isn’t right? I felt funny instantly. I believe awkward is the correct word. I am not usually a shy person around people that I know. My friends would probably state otherwise. This day I clammed up. I was all like, “Hey. Uhh…errr, those your kids?” My embarassment ran high when I noticed only one child and Mer-o called me out on it.
Our conversation ended quickly and again…awkwardly. A “see ya” there and a “talk to ya later” there and it was all over. My mind started to meld back to its normal self and we were on our way. The oddest part was that my wonderful wife, my better half, was there right next to me. I usually enjoy introducing my wife to my friends because of my pride for her and to be honest people tend to like her better than they do me. She’s a nice person whereas I am, well, just LeBlanc. I addressed this days later with The School Girl and I couldn’t figure out why I became a blundering idiot. This isn’t the first time I have done this either.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t really changed who I was back then and many others seem to have become different people. I am not where I had planned to be with my life at this juncture and maybe that is weird to have people see the same old LeBlanc. Is this something that happens to other people? Am I the lone dolt with this kind of behavior?
Anyway, while searching for an accompanying video or picture related to grocery stores I came across this gem of huge-ass-tastic horribleness: a grocery store rap.
That is interesting. But maybe you’ve changed more than you think you have? I am usually so excited to see old high school friends that I too become a “blundering idiot” but that usually shows itself in the opposite manner – I talk TOO much trying to cram years of catching up in 2 minutes time.
GMan sometimes talks it up and usually forgets to introduce me and the kids to which I usually give him an ear full later. LOL!!
I’d be much much worse than you. If I happened to actually run into anyone from high school, I’d fall into a dead faint. People around here tend to fly the coop as soon as possible. I’ve yet to follow their example.
I always dread going to Wal-Mart back home because I inevitably run into someone I haven’t seen in umpteen years, and it’s always fine, but after I’ve walked away or left I always wish I had asked them something or another or regretted something about the conversation. It’s a catch-22 of sorts.
Thanks for trying to make me feel better ya’ll.