181

Page 181 of a 'single story per page' book by Artist Laurie Koss of Kelowna

I WAS WORKING at the Downtown Vancouver Kits Camera store when two men approached the counter. The size of the larger man's biceps was impressive, and I suspected they might be wider than my waist. When he crossed his arms, he looked even more intimidating, and I took one step back then glanced at the smaller man. Wait. I know him!

"Oh! Hi!" I said. He ignored my greeting, swatting it away with the back of his hand, then asked about a film type he hoped to locate.

"Wait, it's Laurie," I said. "We know each other." He sighed. "No, but we do know each other, I'm sure. Didn't we go to the same high school?" He shook his head, and his friend hmphed.

When I turned to look at the big man, he rolled his eyes, and I understood why Mom never liked it when I did that as a teen. I glanced at the tattoo on his bicep, and it seemed to be glaring at me, so I returned my attention to the smaller man. "So, you don't recognize me then?" When the two men looked at each other, I wondered what was going on.

"I do not," the familiar man said. Dumbfounded, I wondered why he would pretend that we didn't know each other. I scrambled to sort it all out while he scrutinized the roll of film I had just handed him. The big man decided to respond to my puzzled expression.

"He's Howie Mandel," he said.

Oh, jeez. I could feel crimson creeping up my neck. Mike and I were devoted fans of the television show St. Elsewhere, and Mandel's character, Dr. Wayne Fiscus, was our favourite. Oh, my goodness, how humiliating. Of course, he wouldn't know me. I couldn't believe I had just asked Howie Mandel if he recognized me.

I babbled, apologizing and explaining how my boyfriend was a medical student and how we loved the show. They were polite but hurried out of the store. I sighed. Only me. When I heard a laugh, I twirled around to see my co-worker standing there enjoying my discomfort.

"So how did that go?" she asked, then giggled at my groan.

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It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it. ~ Maurice Switzer

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About Laurie Koss

Did you like the story? Would you like another? Laurie gave me permission to publish some and see if there is interest. Let us know!
You can find her at:
https://www.instagram.com/lauriekossart/
Her Blog: https://www.lauriekoss.com/blog/
Her Book: https://www.lauriekoss.com/book/