All too often, when we see a white face in the "hood," we become a little leery -- especially if they don't look hood or we don't know them or they aren't with some reputable hood-ies. So, the white boy approaching me seemed oddly out of place but as I made a mental note to speak to him and maybe strike up a neighborly conversation, something happened.
MUD. Yep, the three letter word that ruins shoes and pantyhose, deflates egos and makes it hard to make eye contact. What happened you ask?
I was making my way down the street to my home, dodging puddles left by the rain, when I decided to hop the curb. I'm not positive but I think the combination of my momentum, the packages I was carrying, the slamming wedges I was wearing and the thick softness of the mud literally suckling my soles until I lost my balance and gave in to gravity. Yes, I fell. In front of a total stranger...a white boy...in the hood. Who does that?
But, I got up -- imagine the Donnie McClurkin song playing here. Not to be daunted, the mud grasped me once again and in my moment of shame, I realize he's asking if I need help. I quickly respond - yes, please. We both brace ourselves for a moment, some apprehensive giggles escape but ultimately he pulls me to my feet and makes sure I'm stable before continuing on his way. I thank him profusely, positive that my face -- if not for the melanin -- would be purple from embarrassment. I'm a dirty, heavy breathing mess by the time I get inside but I'm laughing. Nothing is bruised besides my ego -- I mean, what grown woman wants to fall down in the middle of her own street between her car and her home? Can it get any more outrageous?!
Yeah, I know...it could be worse. But I'm not worried about worse right now. I'm worried about right now. And right now, I've been embarrassed in front of a total stranger. I'll never work up the nerve to talk to him again...oh who am I kidding? That will be my ice breaker lol. But seriously though, I'm grateful that he was on that street. As I wonder what his name was, I can't help but feel that he was my angel for today.
Now, I have to Google how to get mud off of my shoes...
