Caught, Again!

Last night I had a very poor night of sleep. I stayed at my aunt's house to lend a hand. On my way home at 6 am, I thought it wise to stop by the ol' Dunkin Doughnuts for some coffee and doughnuts for me and my mister. I'm embarrassed to admit how many times a week I drive through this particular food stand, but suffice it to say that the owner knows my name (well, he calls me Lillian) and my order. This morning, I came tearing into the parking lot and just about ran into a ladder they had blocking the drive-thru. I got close enough to read a sign that said, "Sorry, this drive-thru is under repairs, please come inside". I pulled into a parking spot and carefully weighed my options. Go into a public place with bird's-nest-hair, my pajamas, no make-up, wearing my glasses or drink no coffee this morning. I could see a line that had already formed inside. I could feel my hand shaking from serious caffeine addiction that had not yet been satisfied. The choice was clear. I pulled my bedraggled body out of the car and went and stood in line behind two business-casual men. The man directly in front of me did a double-take as I walked behind him. He might have thought I was homeless and going to steal his doughnuts.

Then something unexpected happened. A woman walked in behind me that caused me to do a double-take, for she looked worse than I. She had on a giant orange sweatshirt, giant cut-off pajama pants with small blue hearts and orange crocs. Her hair looked unwashed and she also had her glasses on. I smiled at her and said, "I didn't anticipate having to get out of the car this morning." She responded, "Clearly neither did I". We both shared a laugh as the two men in front of us rolled their eyes. Gene, my doughnut provider, recognized me after a few seconds and guessed my order before I could say it. I quickly paid him and ran out. He told me he would see me tomorrow (pathetic). As I went through the door, I heard him say "Hi Mary! Glazed Cake Doughnut?" Ha!

It makes me feel better that while once again, I am caught in public looking like a disaster, I am not the only one. There are others out there just like me. I don't have to be ashamed anymore.