Yesterday morning I rolled out of bed (actually, I rolled out of couch, because the baby had been crying in the night and she and I slept downstairs), pulled on a sweater and threw on my flip flops and headed out to buy my wife a cup of Mother's Day coffee. I was wearing, to make the mental image a bit clearer, a pair of blue plaid pajama bottoms, a white undershirt and a black zip up sweater. My hair was doing its best impersonation of an electrocuted toupee.
I walked up to the barista and ordered my wife's coffee and she said, "I loved your book."
This had never happened to me before. I blinked at her in surprise, wondering if, perhaps, she had mistaken me for Stephen King or John Grisham. My brain soon informed me that this would make no sense whatsoever. I paused long enough, thinking what to say to her, that she followed up by saying, "Your book. Imaginary Jesus."
I stammered something suave like, "How did you recognize me?" As if I had been in disguise, or had a secret identity.
She told me she had seen me speak at a conference and recognized me from there, and we chatted amiably for a while. The whole time I wondered if I should explain why I looked like I had been living in my car. Should I tell her that I didn't expect to see anyone who would recognize me in any way? Would she care?
And that's when I realized, "This is what it feels like to be famous!" It feels like a mix of mild confusion and surprised embarrassment. In case you were wondering.
And, in conclusion, the next time I go to visit Peet's coffee to be served by my new friend Jenny, I promise to at least put a hat on.
THE END
"My hair was doing its best impersonation of an electrocuted toupee." Hahahaha! Perhaps that's why some famous men "shave" their heads. Ah the price of fame.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wonder what happens when Stephen King walks into a Peet's in Main at sunrise wearing JP and flip-flop?! Be afraid... be very afraid! :)
ReplyDeleteNow we know you in Vancouver as well so you'd better look camera worthy at all times. Very nice job Sunday at Vanc First Church of God. Of course I ran home and ordered your book. We are looking forward to reading it.
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