Friday, August 24, 2007

Sometimes the universe hugs you.

And sometimes it's just a small child in the shoe aisle at Ross.

I went to Ross after work this afternoon, because dates = new clothes. These types of store are ones in which you must be committed to combing through. You've got to be ready to go item by item, step over the millions of shoes on the floor, avoid unsupervised children careening around the store with shopping carts. It's not an every day place; you've got to be up to it. I was. I went item by item, gathered some selections, and received my dressing-room number to try them on.

While I was in the dressing room, approximately 1 million children showed up. And upon discovering that there was a slight echo, began singing. I like this about children, their willingness to sing wherever, whenever. What I don't like are unattended children, singing or no. Especially those who peak their dirty little heads under the dressing room wall. The first time the little girl did it, I said, "No, no," and she tucked her head back under the stall like a turtle. No sooner did I have one leg in a pair of pants and she's peaking again. I gestured with my foot for her to scoot, but she didn't get it. "No, no, go away," I told her. She backed up. Her brothers never ceased in their singing.

So I made my way toward the shoes, wading through the 20% of the store's merchandise that is always on the floor. I passed a kid in the aisle, about 6 years old, shopping with his mom. He looked at me like he knew me, like he hadn't seen me in ages, and then extended his arms. I backed up as if unfamiliar with the international sign for Gimme a Hug. He advanced and hugged me around the middle.

I stood there with my arms raised above my head, in case his mother turned around and saw him hugging a strange woman. I didn't want her to think she needed to contact Chris Matthews or anything.

It was odd. And then I laughed, bought some jeans and a polka dot top, and left.

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