Friday, April 26, 2013

Stalling In Applebees

Stalling In Applebees

My boys and I were like three peas in a pod, but were more like the three stooges on that cold, rainy afternoon when I decided to take them out to eat.  I pulled my dark gray Nissan Xterra into the Applebees parking lot and was happy to see there were few cars since Justin didn’t like crowds.

We sat in a booth at the back of the restaurant near the restrooms.  As soon as we were settled, Joshua informed me he had to go the bathroom.  “Me too. Me too.” Justin said.  “Well, he can go with me then.” Joshua responded.  Since Justin was twelve at the time, I couldn’t take him myself, but this could turn out to be a fiasco if I send him with Joshua.   I hesitantly moved and let him go with his brother. 
   
While I was giving our order to the waitress, Joshua came back to the table alone.  “Where’s Justin?”  I asked while glancing at the restroom door.   “He’s doing something besides peeing and I’m not going to help him.” Joshua said as he crossed his arms.  I rolled my eyes and thought, what do I do now.  “Is anyone else in there?”  I asked.  “No mom, only Justin.”  He replied.  “Why don’t you go help him and I’ll make sure no one else goes in?”  The waitress said as she took her place by the door. 

I pushed against the heavy wooden door and made my way into the dimly lit room.  The door closed behind me and I called out to Justin.  His voice echoed from the stall when he said, “Hey mommy.”  I approached the stall door and pulled on the silver handle only to find that Justin had latched it so I couldn’t get in.  “Let me in.”  I said while pulling on the handle again and began to feel frustrated when I heard him laugh at me. 

Next, I heard a rustling of fabric and the clinking of a belt buckle in the next stall; then the distinct sound of a zipper.  I prayed no one else was in there as I bent over to look under the stall doors.  I saw Justin’s shoes inside the first stall, then took a deep breath and fixed my eyes under the door of the second stall.  There they were; two shiny black dress shoes looking back at me.  I quickly got to my feet and began to sweat as my heart beat faster.  I felt my face turn red with embarrassment.
 
I gave the handle of Justin’s stall several quick tugs and knocked on the door.  “Justin.  Hurry up and let me in.”  I said with a stern voice.  “I can’t!  I doooooookey!”  He bellowed with laughter.  I heard no more noise from the next stall, but I still saw the black shoes staring at me from under the door.  I got a sniff of the horrible odor coming from Justin’s stall and wondered how the trapped man next to us kept from gagging.
 
I had to hurry up and get out of here I thought as I tugged the stall handle again.  “Open this door and I mean it.”  When Justin finally let me in, I gave him a “you’re in big trouble” look.  “I mull bad.”  He said with a grin on his face.   “You’re rotten.”  I said as I rolled off some tissue and handed it to him.  When he finished, I flushed the toilet as he buttoned his pants.

I opened the stall door and looked around as I rushed Justin to the sink.  Still no sound came from the other stall.  “Wash your hands.”  I said as I washed mine in the sink next to him.  Then we both very hurriedly dried our hands and left.

After we sat back down at the booth with Joshua, I finally took a deep breath and exhaled.  Thank God that was over.  Then I heard the restroom door open and there they were, the black shoes that had looked at me from under the stall.  I could not bring myself to look at the man that had come out. I don’t know who was more embarrassed me, or the poor man trapped in the Applebees restroom stall.  

Hoping one of my most embarrassing moments brought a smile to your face.
Angela :)

8 comments:

  1. A smile indeed! and thanks for sharing! what a jewel you are!!!

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    1. Thanks Kathy. Sometimes we just have to grin and bear these situations. :)

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  2. Laughing and groaning with you! Oh the moments we go through with our kids! hugs Angela! you're such a good mom!

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    1. Thanks Cindy. Sometimes we have to laugh to get through these situations. I still turn red with embarrassment just thinking about it.

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  3. Oh my goodness! Now that's what I call embarrassing! All I can say is, 'God bless you, Mom." You're one in a million! :)

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    1. Thanks Becky. I should have seen it coming, but it caught me totally offguard.

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  4. I remember you telling me that story, and I rolled on the floor laughing! I have often wondered if that poor man has ever gotten panic attacks when he has to use a public restroom now!! Anyway, that's our Justin and you can't help but love him to pieces!! What a funny wonderful story! Love ya, Mom

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    1. Thanks mom. That is certainly something our Justin would do. I just couldn't bring myself to look at that poor man when he came out of the restroom, but I'll never forget those shoes. Love you too. :)

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