As I am waiting to purchase the newspaper at a convenience store yesterday, a woman standing in line in front of me turns to me and smiles. Out of politeness, I smile back. When she keeps smiling at me, I wonder what the heck is going on.
"Oh my god," She says, "I can't belieive it's you..."
I stand there motionless, with a goofy grin pasted to my face, not saying a word.
"You remember me?" This black haired stranger with big sunglasses asks me.
"Uhh..." I mutter as I continue smiling.
"I'm Maria, remember? From school?" She continues.
"Ummm..." I have no idea who this woman is!
I am quickly trying to decide whether I should lie to her and say I do know her or just be honest with her. Before I can decide, she suddenly whips her glasses off. Something about the way her almond shaped eyes crinkle when she smiles makes me remember her...but only vaguely.
"Oh yes!" I stammer.
"Yes, you remember! I am glad you did. It's been so long!" Maria says excitedly and actually reaches out and hugs me.
I am so taken aback, but I immediately return her hug.
I am doubting that she knows me...but then she goes on to mention every single school that we attended together (grade school, junior high, and high school!). She even tells me how she's heard through the grapevine where I work. So, okay, she definitely knows me...but how come I don't remember her so well?
"You are looking beautiful as always!" Maria comments. This is weird to me, since I was so chubby and awkward most of my school days. Plus, that certain day, I felt so haggard and worn out after a long work day.
"You still look the same. I would recognize you anywhere." Maria continues.
I am not kidding you...EVERY person I run into tells me this...that I look the same. I never quite know how to take that...lol.
"How are you?" She asks with such inquisitive eyes.
"I am doing pretty good," I answer a bit awkwardly. "How about you? How are you doing?"
"Very well, thanks to God. " She smiles as she answers.
It's Maria's turn to pay, and I am not really knowing what to say next, so she says, "Well, Rose...Rose, right? It was so nice seeing you."
"So nice seeing you, too." I smile back.
She leaves...and while I smile at connecting again with an old school chum, I am very disappointed at myself for not remembering her very well...because if I did, I probably would have had a much better conversation with her.
Sigh.
I will definitely be scavenging for my old high school yearbook this weekend...to see if it will ignite some sort of memory about Maria.
She was so nice...I at least owe her that.