That’s Her Right There

“That’s her right there.”

I try my best to continue eating my lunch without looking uncomfortable. I don’t want them to know that I can hear them talking about me.

“In the blue sweatshirt?”

“Yeah.”

The fork holding my pasta shakes ever-so-slightly as I bring it toward my mouth. I know what she’s about to say. She’s about to tell her friends what happened when I arrived here this morning.

“What happened with her?”

“She parked in Jackie’s spot this morning, so I had to go out there and ask her to move.”

“And what did she say?”

“She was like ,’Oh, sorry, I didn’t know,’ and she moved.”

“Oh wow.”

Huh?

I’m trying really hard to hide the fact that I’m listening. But, truly, these ladies are the worst whisperers of all time. I want to continue eating my pasta, to continue going on with my day the way I was already doing, but I’m not so hungry now.

“Yeah, she moved her car to one of the further spots and I came back inside. I felt really bad, but I couldn’t let her take Jackie’s spot.”

And it’s interesting to me, because that’s not at all how I remember it. I mean, yes, I did turn my car into the parking lot and slow down as I scanned for open spaces. Yes, I did hesitate when I realized that there were only a precious few available. Yes, I did turn into the nearest space I saw, right up against the building, and yes, I did get out of the car and start gathering my bags.

And yes, of course, this beautiful, confident woman who is probably younger than I am approached me and said “Excuse me, you can’t park there. That spot is reserved.”

And yes, I’m not denying it, I was caught a bit off guard. I’m sure some semblance of a panic could be seen somewhere on my face. And I did say “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that. I can move.” And she did say “Thank you. Any other spot is fine.” To which I responded “Yeah, no problem,” and I got back in my car. And I backed out of the spot that seemingly is “Jackie’s” and I moved to the next open spot that I could find. And by the time I got back out and started walking toward the building, the woman was gone. So I entered this big building for my first day at this job. And I didn’t think about my little parking error again. That is, until now.

So, sure, she relayed the events fairly well to her friends. But clearly, she and I are not remembering it the same way. Because she’s sitting in this employee break room, telling her little buddies about it like it’s the most interesting topic she can think of.

And I hadn’t thought it was a big deal at all. I hadn’t felt embarrassed about it, I hadn’t wished I could turn back time. I probably wasn’t even going to mention it on the phone to my mother tonight when she asks how my first day went.

In fact, if I hadn’t seen this woman again I might not have even remembered that it happened. So many more significant things have happened since then. I met with my new boss, I took a tour of the office, the IT guy set up my new email account. I was given some tasks to complete, and I nailed them.

I thought I was having a really good first day at my new job.

But I was mistaken. I see it now. I’m actually a huge idiot and I’ve been making a fool of myself all day. I actually made an unforgivable error when I parked in “Jackie’s” spot, and even though I moved my car as quickly as I could, the damage was done. I ruined everybody’s day. And even though the spot was unmarked, with no sign to say “Reserved for Jackie,” even though no one had called me earlier to let me know where not to park, it is all my fault. I should have known that it was Jackie’s spot. I should have known that there is someone who works in this building named Jackie, and I should have known that Jackie deserves to have a special parking spot.

How could I have been so stupid?

I look down at the remaining pasta in my Tupperware. I’m not going to eat it. I check the clock on the wall. Minutes ago, I would have been concerned about getting back from my lunch break on time. Minutes ago, I thought I stood a chance of crafting a good reputation for myself.

I am so grateful to this beautiful, confident woman who is probably younger than I am for so kindly letting me know that I have already failed. The pressure’s off now! I might as well sit here in this break room for the next four hours. Maybe I’ll go home early. Everybody already thinks I’m a bad employee. They’ll probably fire me by the end of the day, just as soon as the boss finds out about how I accidentally stole Jackie’s parking spot for forty-five seconds.

I should consider myself lucky that I haven’t crossed paths with Jackie yet. I wonder what department she works in. I’m assuming it’s a woman, though of course Jackie could be a man. But I’m sure Jackie’s looking for me. Or at least, she will be once she finds out what I did. She’ll hunt me down and demand that I pay for the ordeal that I’ve put her through. She’ll look me in my eyes and shout “How dare you? How dare you park in my empty parking spot for forty-five seconds? Who do you think you are?”

And of course there is no possible way for me to explain it. There’s no excuse I can come up with to make her forgive me.

I’m so sorry, Jackie. I’m so sorry for what I did to you.

I look back towards the trio sitting at the other table. I accidentally make eye contact with the beautiful, confident woman as she swallows a mouthful of her salad. She has the nerve to look sheepish as she snaps her eyes away from mine. I turn to the empty chair to my left and I lean in close to whisper.

“That’s her right there,” I tell no one. “That’s the girl who saved the day.”