dirtyrobot

I'll admit it--this cold, and subsequent ear infection have made me irritable. But still...

I'd just gone out to get something for my ear--some eardrops, a washcloth to make a compress with...something. I pull into the QFC parking lot, and there's a guy parked in the fire lane. Not only parked in the fire lane, but obnoxiously parked, so cars going in opposite directions have to take turns getting around him.

I park my car and approach his. "Excuse me, but this is a fire lane you're parked in. You're obstructing traffic. There are plenty of parking spaces around here, and it's not raining, so it really shouldn't be a problem to move your car."

He makes a dismissive gesture. My temper flares. "I was always taught in school that the earth revolved around the sun. Apparently I was wrong, it revolves around YOU." I turn around and start walking away.

His window rolls down. "You're fat and ugly."

"WELL AT LEAST I'M NOT AN ASSHOLE."

I stormed into the store and headed straight for the produce, and found myself holding a large tomato, shaking, with tears welling up. I don't have the greatest self-esteem, but you'd think I'd be used to having people tearing me down by now. I guess I'm not. All I wanted to do was go throw things at his car now, make him as mad and upset as he made me. And if he stepped out of the car? I'd do my best to show him what this ugly little fireball is made of.

But I didn't. I put the tomato down, and left the store.

His car was gone.