Buffalo Gal

I walked to and from work today, only to come home this evening to take my car to the gym.
Remember that wet laundry on hangers? It was still hanging in the back seat. Still wet. And pretty cold. Turning the heat on covered the windows with thick condensation, a mobile arctic rainforest.
When I walked home wearing business apparel I felt incongruous and out of place, every street eye shifting as I passed. But shedding that skin for sweats, old sneakers, a hoodie and an old jacket, I blended in with my neighbors. I comfortably waited in my car for the windows to clear as anonymous neighbors went about their business without a side glance.
Once I had some front window view, I headed to the 'burbs and a gym near my cousin's house. In deference to my island days, I was not able to pass the Talbot's semi-annual sale without stopping to look.
I still carry a balance on my Talbots card, have closets crammed with their clothes and may well own more Talbots shoes than any individual in a 14 state radius.
But I wasn't wearing any of it at the moment.
No one offered to start a dressing room, no one smiled, no one looked my way. I could almost hear the sigh of relief when I walked out the door.
The same outfit that made me invisible with familiarity at the apartments made me even more so with unfamiliarity at the toney shop.
I used to think I could pass in either world. Maybe it's neither.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2005-01-04 11:31 PM Visibility I walked to and from work today, only to come home this evening to take my car to the gym. Remember that wet laundry on hangers? It was still hanging in the back seat. Still wet. And pretty cold. Turning the heat on covered the windows with thick condensation, a mobile arctic rainforest. When I walked home wearing business apparel I felt incongruous and out of place, every street eye shifting as I passed. But shedding that skin for sweats, old sneakers, a hoodie and an old jacket, I blended in with my neighbors. I comfortably waited in my car for the windows to clear as anonymous neighbors went about their business without a side glance. Once I had some front window view, I headed to the 'burbs and a gym near my cousin's house. In deference to my island days, I was not able to pass the Talbot's semi-annual sale without stopping to look. I still carry a balance on my Talbots card, have closets crammed with their clothes and may well own more Talbots shoes than any individual in a 14 state radius. But I wasn't wearing any of it at the moment. No one offered to start a dressing room, no one smiled, no one looked my way. I could almost hear the sigh of relief when I walked out the door. The same outfit that made me invisible with familiarity at the apartments made me even more so with unfamiliarity at the toney shop. I used to think I could pass in either world. Maybe it's neither. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top