The Stranger I Met Today

This past week I had an appointment at a lab. I was there early in the morning, surrounded by people in the waiting room all waiting to have their own lab work completed. I didn’t outwardly appear as grumpy as most of the other people waiting did. The scowls on most of their faces were likely due to the fact that most early morning lab work requires fasting. I wasn’t fasting and there was another patient waiting who was not required to fast. I knew this because of his upbeat attitude and the ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich that he was devouring right there in the middle of the waiting room while the onlookers glared. It was poor form, to say the least. 

Patients were called back one by one. Finally, it was my turn. A woman named Debbie called me back.  

“How are you today?” she asked. When she asked, I knew she was asking because she wanted to ask.    

“Just fine. You?” I asked. 

“Well, I woke up this morning, so I’m just great.” She showed me to the chair and asked me which arm I preferred. I then asked her which arm she preferred, as she was going to be the one doing the work. I explained that I would merely be sitting around and watching her. She chuckled and started to roll the sleeve up on my left arm. Debbie talked about her kids going back to school and how the unseasonably humid weather was causing bad hair days for everyone. 

The breakfast sandwich man appeared with the receptionist. She directed him to the phone on the wall. As it turned out, he was calling around for a ride. He had apparently made no plans to get home. Just to reiterate, he also had eaten a very odorous sandwich in front of a room full of starving people too. He talked loudly on the phone in front Debbie and me. On his call, he wasn’t really trying to design a plan for his pick-up. He was mostly lamenting about a recent argument with Aunt Mona. 

“Are you single?” Debbie asked. I looked up, surprised by the random quality of her question. She continued before I could answer. “If you’re thinking about getting his number, I know for a fact that he’s available. He told a lady in the waiting room already. You could probably have your first date right now, as long as you drop him off afterwards.” 

She started laughing and so did I. It was not the ideal spot for a good laugh since this woman was about to stick a needle in my arm. The man was oblivious and if I had to guess, as he was at least 60 years old, he’ll probably always be oblivious. 

Lesson Learned

How did she size me up that quickly? Even after she suggested that I hook up with Mr. Breakfast Sandwich, she said out loud, “I probably shouldn’t have said that, but I just couldn’t resist. Thank goodness you knew I was making a joke.”  Her approach, her delivery, her body language, it was spot-on. I appreciate wit and anyone who is a "people-person." I wasn’t expecting my blood draw to be served with a side of hearty belly-laughter. And, for anyone wondering, Mr. Breakfast Sandwich was still calling around for a ride when I left. He may still be sitting out front of the lab.