On occasion, I find myself exploring a strange town on my own. I travel (just a little) for work, mostly conferences or other trips related to my job. Since I often travel by myself, I've developed the ability to eat by alone in a restaurant while thoroughly enjoying myself in the process (as opposed to that obviously uncomfortable vibe that some solo diners exude). Plus, my personality is such that if you are a stranger to me, you don't stay that way for long - we will engage in conversation and probably become acquaintances at the very least as a result.
This evening just happened to be one of the aforementioned solo-dining events, following a day full of conference sessions, vendor presentations, and other mundane minutiae that accompanies the work that I do. As I waited for my name to be called by the Panera dude behind the prep counter, I felt the presence of someone sidling up next to me. Without even looking, I simply moved a bit further down the line to make room - however, as I moved down, so did my new friend.
This caused me to turn my head towards the motion, only to be greeted by a beautiful smiling face. I was still in a suit from the day at the conference, but this gorgeous woman was in sweats and a baseball hat - a look I typically affect when I haven't yet showered, but need to run out in public for something. I smiled back, and then turned back towards the counter. However, out of the corner of my eye I could see that this woman was still looking at me and smiling. You know, that kind of smile that says, "I know you - but you obviously don't remember me." The work that I do connects me with MANY people, so this phenomenon is not entirely unfamiliar to me.
I turned towards the woman and told her that she looked familiar to me, and I wondered aloud if we had met before. Her response? "Oh, I know you, but this is actually the first time we've met."
What? NOW I'm really intrigued...
Of course, this is when the kid behind the counter calls out my name: "Carlton?" I smile at the woman and tell her, "That's me" only to hear her immediately reply, "Oh I know!"
Ok, now I really need to know what is going on here - this is getting a little crazy! However, as I grab my food and turn back towards her, she is gone. Apparently they called her name the same time as mine, and I was too dumbstruck to notice her collect her food and head away from the counter.
Shit.