September 4, 2007

Where to?

Mother's birthday was last week, and I took her out for a nice lunch to celebrate. When I picked her up at her senior apartment, I handed off a pretty potted plant, which she immediately took back up to her apartment before we left. A kind looking older gentleman held the door open for her to go inside.
I sat in the car with the engine on so I didn't have to leave the air conditioned car. The gentleman came over and stooped down to look into the passenger window of my car. I smiled and waved. I didn't know him but he seemed friendly enough.
Thinking he wanted to ask me something, I rolled down the window on his side just as he opened the door.
"Hi!" he called out.
"Well, hello!" I replied.
The man climbed into the car and sat down across from me, his feet firmly planted on either side of my large purse on the floor in front of him.
He reached for the seatbelt and started belting himself in. I had no idea who this man was.
"Where are we going?" I asked, hoping that would snap him out of whatever he was thinking.
"I feel like Marie Calender's today." He folded his hands in his lap and looked expectantly at me.
This was interesting. I cocked my head to one side and looked at him. He smiled back, waiting for me to drive off.
"Do I know you?" I asked. I hoped that this would gently let him know that I wasn't going anywhere with him.
"Well, you're Jean, aren't you?" he looked bewildered.
"No, I'm waiting here for my mother, who you just passed, going inside with a potted plant. We're going out this afternoon."
He regarded me for several seconds. "You're not Jean?"
"No. I'm Barbara." I hated for him to feel badly, but I was quite shocked.
"You could be a close cousin to Jean. She's one of the caretakers here. You look just like her!"
"Wow. I'd like to see who that is!"
He unfastened his seatbelt and hopped out of the car. "It was a case of mistaken identity" he said without humor.
"Don't give it another thought," I said, truly hoping he wouldn't feel badly. His vision must not have been too good. Or maybe I truly did look like Jean.
Mother came out the door moments later. I had been chortling to myself and the gentleman was sitting on the bench waiting for Jean.
"Where are we going for lunch?" Mother asked.
I smiled. "I feel like Marie Calender's today."
We had a great lunch there and a good laugh. Sometimes it can be so humbling to be human!

1 comment:

Beth said...

This is a wonderful story...but my heart hurts for your accidental guest.

I hope somebody takes him to Marie Calenders.