Unexpected Reunion

So, I was thinking, planning, expecting that the first time I'd see K (Doc) after the breakup would be Saturday night. I was planning on going to a show that night, and knew he'd be there. Signscout's had an influence on me that says that I have to dress up at least a little for shows. So, I knew I'd be acceptably pretty.

This is in sharp contrast to what I wear at Camp. I'm doing maintenance work, mostly. So, I have these terribly grungy (yet surprisingly sturdy and comfortable) ex-running shoes that have seen maybe three years of mowing lawns, staining wood, and who knows what else. They've possibly served as my river shoes a time or six when I couldn't find my real ones. And most of the time, I'm wearing jeans, because we're working in the woods or with materials that I don't want on my skin. Beat-up jeans, that fit terribly, have splashes of wood-stain on them, very unflattering, but again, very sturdy. During the school year, these jeans are set aside for when I'm working at the animal shelter, and nowhere else. They have outlasted all but one other pair of jeans I own.

For a change of pace, I know I'll be spending the day working in the store with London and her helpers. So, I have elected to wear shorts. I am of course blazingly tanless on my legs (in contrast to my face and arms), because I am of European descent, and we're definitely talking about the northwestern part of Europe. Also, I keep finding myself lacking time or energy to shave [1], so it's obvious that I haven't done THAT for about a week.

Discretion forbids a complete description of what I'm wearing, but suffice it to say, it is very clear that I am there to work, and maybe run, but not to flirt. I am also sunburned, my hair's doing craziness [2] so I'm keeping it together under my hat [3], and thanks to that splendid combination of sunscreen and sweat all week, I have a nice little breakout going on down one side of my face.

The guys at Camp don't care. For the most part, the personality seems to hit way before the appearance does. I'm another pair of hands, and it's just kind of a side note that I'm female. A few of the main staff guys are kind of fatherly towards me, as they have daughters of their own [4]. But I dress to work at Camp.

About a week ago, I'd had a chat with Muskie and Carebear about what happened with me and Doc. Everyone's usually both disappointed and baffled to hear that we broke up. Usually, it's enough for me to say, flippantly, "He decided that he didn't want to be a Christian anymore, so that pretty much put the kibosh on that relationship." From there, we can gauge the reactions of what needs explaining. Either people want to know, "What? What changed? Why wouldn't he.." etc., or "So? Why's that matter?"

So, I'm working in the store, London's out getting stock, I'm labeling DVD's and singing along with gospel penguins, and Muskie comes in. I didn't really think anything of the look on his face, but he says in a lower voice, "I just wanted to let you know, K's here, and he'll probably be staying for lunch."

If he had used K's camp name, this would have been fine. But I actually hadn't been thinking about my ex at all. I've been doing Camp work. Yesterday, in fact, this work involved clearing out some junk from one of the former Head Counselors offices, who coincidentally has the same first name as K. So, I lit up. "Seriously? Is [his wife] here?" And then it occurs to me, "Waiiit...did you mean, K as in Coach K, or K my ex." "Doc."

"Oh." *shrug* "Okay."

Muskie, I think, is very slightly protective of me. I do mean slightly - on the other end of the spectrum entirely from Rogue. But, no worries. We did see each other over lunch, and he admired the floor Skippy and I had laid earlier that week in the Craft Hall, and that was about it. Doc had a building project left over from last summer, and I think my big hope for the day was that he would finish it. It's taking up a lot of space in the old shop. It looks cool and all, and it's a good idea, but come on, let's get it done and get it out of there so we can use the space again. :P

But, yes, I am wearing the grunge shoes, the shorts that aren't particularly feminine but still reveal a complete absence of tan and razor for the last week, work clothes, and my hair's a mess. Not pretty. Hopefully my sparkling personality was enough to redeem that encounter. :)

_{[1]Really, most nights it's a huge effort just to take the time to shower at all before going to bed.
[2]See, when my hair's short, I have to shower in the morning to tame it down. If I shower at night, I get mad-crazy bedhead. It's probably very cute in its own disheveled way, but the hat is pretty much a constant.
[3]The hat is from Signscout. My hat is made of Awesome. I tell people this.
[4]Usually, it becomes very apparent when a guy has daughters. There's something different in his personality.}