Caught Gawking

I was shopping at Target today. Yes, C2, not only did i go to the dreaded market but I also went to Target to pick up other household essentials. You may mark this day in history if it gives you joy to taunt me. ;)

Any way, while I wandered aimlessly about trying to figure out where they might have curtain rods, I came across the candle aisle. And, for some reason, my sinuses decided, that despite it was in the middle of pollen season, my nose was clear and I could smell the candles. I looked down the aisle to identify the pleasant aroma. In the aisle there was a man, about 6', 190 lbs, maybe a bit heavier and taller....but a man who looked like he knew his way around the football field and not as a quarterback or kicker. He was my age or a tad older.

When I first peered down the aisle, he had his nose deep inside a red candle. He closed it and picked up the coral colored candle next to it. He proceeded to pick up candles, open the top, sniff them, close them and put them down. He was working his way throught the redish color ones, past the orange and as he was sniffing a peach colored candle, his eye caught mine. I turned quickly and walked briskly away. I was a bit embarrassed to be caught staring.

I thought perhaps, he was embarrased to be caught sniffing candles. I wanted to go back and tell him what was going through my mind as I watched him. First thing I did was glance at his hand to see if he was married and he was. Then I thought about the date to see if there was a holiday around the corner that might merit getting a gift for his mom or wife. And, I realized that Easter was over and mother's day was at least 2 weeks away...far too soon for any man to be thinking about that. So perhaps, his wife asked him to get XYZ candle from Target while he was out. And, he forgot which one he was supposed to get, so he had to smell all the candles to try and figure out which one his wife requested. But instead, I settled on the idea that he was looking for a gift to bring home to his wife...just because. And, he was smelling all the candles to find one that he liked and thought she'd like too. I know, kinda silly of an idea. But, I like to think good things about people.

I would have liked him to know that I thought he was one of the good guys in the world (not to be confused with the idiots I tend to get involved with!). I wanted him to know I wasn't staring at him because I thought he was weird but because I thought he was sweet. But, I'm too shy and pretty much terrified of strangers. So I kept walking, hoping to find the curtain rods before I came across that same guy in the card or candy aisle.

The whole incident, which couldn't have lasted more than 5 minutes, makes me think I'm far stranger than I've ever realized. There is only one other person I know who likes to people watch and make up stories about them in her head. But, she is one of the best people I've ever met, so I kinda like that we make up a very strange sub-category of our own. And, I guess knowing I'm in such good company, makes me feel better about my strangeness.

I wonder if that guy found the candle he was looking for. I wonder if his wife/mother/sister liked it.