1:48 AM

That's not the time I was bored that night. Actually, at that time, I was anything but bored. I'd been busy up until almost 1:30. At this moment, I had been having a great conversation with a security officer, MamaL. I'm not sure why we call her that, but that's what we call her. We were just chatting about nothing important when I was abruptly interrupted by someone who hasn't said 4 words to me since 2010.

I knew this was bound to happen, it's been a fear of mine since I took a position where I work. With a family as big as mine, an alcoholic here, an addict there, it's really only been a matter of time until I ran into one of them at work. And with as many rifts as my giant family has, it was bound to be as tense and awkward as it was.

So, the story goes like this: In the lobby on the busy side, we're chatting and up walks a man who says "You're Allyson, right?" and I recognized him immediately, so my sarcastic comment was "That's what the name badge says, and that's what they've called me for 24 years. How are you *name*?". Then of course, came the nervous glances around the lobby because he must be here with HER. This gentleman isn't a member of my family, by blood or by choice, but he is the "friend" of my aunt, who is a frequent guest. Naturally, she's there, and it's a moment of mutual avoidance. Then, the niceties were exchanged "Oh, wow, I thought that was you, but you look great!" Well, of course I look great, I'm half the person I was last time you saw me....

You may not realize, it's in my job description to open doors for guests, and our managers are ALWAYS watching. So, their car arrives and I open the door to let them out. I'm curious now if she's a decent tipper, so I follow him out and open the passenger door (another part of my job). She's behind me as we walk across the traffic lanes and the only comment she makes is "You're not Hope..." ("Hope" is a greeter on another shift) so I simply say, "Nope, she's never here this late. Drive safe." and close the door. 3 words in 4 years... Lovely.

The runner who brought up her car is my Work Hubby (story for another post) and he knew right away something was up. I explained and he couldn't stop laughing. I found out that she's always a great tipper, usually to the greeters when she arrives and when she leaves, she tips Hope or the other greeter who opens the door for her or scans her claim ticket when she's leaving. Well, apparently I'm the only greeter who gets stiffed by her... Awesome.

Every day is a new adventure. Come join me!
~A