Don't Let the Door Hit You On Your ...

** This is the post I was going to do last night.  Just a little story about something I did back in college.

Last night, before I came home to my uncooperative internet situation, we decided to go out to dinner as a family.  Even though I wasn't really up for it, a new restaurant opened up near us and we wanted to check it out.  Besides that, the kids hadn't seen much of their daddy for several days and they love to go out to eat. 

This restaurant sits on a corner and has a huge revolving door as the main entryway.  I huddled the two kids in with me and we pushed and shuffled our way around the circle (it should be noted that this is the first time Scott actually agreed to use one of those kinds of doors).  Revolving doors always remind me of this story that I shared with Scott later, knowing how much he enjoys hearing about me doing something embarrassing.

My junior year in college I got a job at a local restaurant in State College called The Corner Room.  It was named this because it sits prominently at the corner of the main street and the entrance to the university.  It is an old-fashion, extremely busy restaurant and landing a job there was no easy feat.  Part of the training involved doing a stint in each role, one of which was hostess/cashier.  I had had jobs like this in the past, but was nervous because of the sheer volume and importance of upholding the tradition.

One football weekend, when the restaurant was packed, I was settling a check for an elderly couple.  The lady walked gingerly, holding a cane and the man tried to help her along as best he could.  After I gave them their change and was already onto the next customer, I realized I hadn't given them all of their money. 

I turned around to see if they had left yet and could tell they were right outside the front of the building where the huge revolving door opens onto the corner.  I didn't want to look like I had cheated them (somebody's grandparents, probably) and hate making mistakes so I tried to right my wrong. 

I pushed the heavy door as hard as I could, I was in a hurry, fearing that I would lose sight of them in the crowd.  As the door turned, I saw the old lady fall to the ground.  I swung through the opening onto the sidewalk and suddenly realized that the door had hit her on the rear end as she was hunched over exiting the restaurant.  She hadn't cleared the opening when I had pushed the inner door, so in my haste, I had knocked her over.

I tried to apologize as several people came to help her up.  I shoved the money in the old man's hand and stammered, "I'm sorry!", then darted back into the restaurant.  The line for the cashier was backed up and one of the managers had stepped in for me.

I quit that job before the next football game and have been leery of revolving doors ever since.

** As expected, this story made Scott laugh, "Oh, mom, how embarrassing!"  You got that right, kid!

** Hey!  I just realized that this is November 15th, my 15 post in 15 days!!  Halfway through NaBloPoMo!

Comments

[delilah]

Oh my!

I'm not a fan of revolving doors either. I'm always afraid I'm going to trip and will end up getting pushed around and around.

[kristen]

Lori, if it makes you feel any better, I kind of hate revolving doors, too. We have a lot of them here in NY and boy it was impossible going anywhere with GP when he was little because his fear of the door was beyond reason. So glad that stage is over!

[Laura]

Now I'll never go through a revolving door either! Cute story ;)

[slouching mom]

This is so very familiar, Lori. And I know you know why.

Poor you!

[Jordan]

Oh, ouch!!! I can only imagine how you felt! That's good one.

[Niksmom]

Yikes! I've gotten stuck in one of those %$!@# things before...