a familiar face

I was walking through the Johnson Center behind a group of young men.  One of them looked somewhat familiar.  He turned, saw me, did a double take, then smiled.
"Hi!"
"Hi!"  I replied, frantically searching my memory for his name and the context in which I knew him.
"I know some people you know!"  He said.
"Oh really?"  I asked, relieved to be off the hook, "Who?"
He told me who he knew and then paused for a minute, still grinning.
"Ha, sorry," He said, half apologizing, half laughing at the situation, "I guess that was kind of weird."

thrift store neighbors

In a thrift store, I passed a woman with a cart heaped taller than I am.
"My goodness," I said, "that's quite a haul!"
"It's my lucky day!"  She replied brightly.  Then, looking enviously at my items she added, "But it's just curtains."

a hat loving shopkeeper

I was in Providence, RI investigating a small Indian shop.  I wore a colorful beanie.
"I love your hat."  The shopkeeper said.
"Why thank you!"  I replied, "I like it too."
"May I buy it?"
I was surprised.
"No, actually, my aunt gave it to me, and I'd like to keep it."
He chewed his lip.  He studied my hat.
"I'll pay you far more than it is worth.  I will give you something in exchange that costs much more."
"No, I think I'll just keep my hat, thanks."
He chewed his lip.  He studied my hat.
"Can I ... scan it?  Into my computer?  And measure it?  So that I can make more?"
"Oh, well, sure, if you like."  I handed him the hat.
"Thank you!  Thank you!"
Ten minutes later he handed it back.  He gave me a wristful of colorful bangles for my trouble.

Senators in Saxbys

At first, we chose to sit in the front of the coffee shop, because our favorite spot in the back was taken.  As we sat and talked, we watched other patrons entering and exiting and shivered each time the door swung open.  A group of three friends walked in.  The first entered without incident, the second tripped over the rug.  He turned a half-second after his friend had done the same to warn him, "don't trip on that."
My friend and I shared their laugh.
Half an hour later, a large crowd settled near us, speaking too loud for our conversation to continue.  We moved to the back to take the only remaining empty table, the one by those three.
"Oh, just to let you know, ladies," The first who had tripped spoke up as we sat down, "we're expecting some senators in just a few minutes, and they're going to sit there."
"Really now?"  My friend played along, "Thanks for letting us know.  Is it alright if we sit here in the meantime?"
"That's fine, but you'll have to move later."
"Thanks," I replied, "Just let us know, we'll move when they get here."
Finally, our favorite spot in the comfy chairs opened up and we prepared to move once more.  Our friend at the next table looked up, concerned.
"You know I was just joking about the senator," He said, "You can stay."

a concerned patron

I wore my black fedora to work at the bakery.
A woman walked in, stood in front of the breadboard, and stared at me thoughtfully for a moment after I handed her a slice of bread. 

Finally she said, "Your hat is beautiful."
"Why thank you." I replied with a smile.
"Do you like it?" The woman asked, leaning forward and looking at me earnestly.
"Um, yes. Yes I do. very much." I was somewhat confused by this, but continued to smile politely.
"Do you go to school?"
"Yes, ma'am, I do. I go to George Mason," I indicated the direction of my college with one hand, "I'm a Junior there."
The woman took a step back and her eyes grew wide with surprise. "At college? But you look so young!" She shook her head sadly, "I'm so sorry." Then she gazed at me for a moment longer, a truly pained expression in her eyes. "I am so sorry, honey." She repeated.
Then, the woman turned and left the store.  She didn't even buy anything.