Red-Faced In Philly

Stopped for lunch on our way home from Philly.
All visited restrooms and didn’t dilly.
After consuming our lunch, 
in preparation for a long drive,
He, again, dashed to the restroom getting ready to ride.

Emerging from the toilet stall door,
there was his wife in the middle of the floor.
“Aren’t you in the wrong place”, he quizzed, 
knowing, of course, she was wrong---again!
“No, I am not,” was her soft reply.  
“But how about you, Honey Pie?”
 
His eyes bulged in disbelief,
no urinals on the walls, no, no, it can’t  be!
In the ladies restroom, no, not he!
Suddenly feeling so deathly weak,  
Face on fire, he could hardly speak, 
“Is, is.. is... there anyone else in this place?”

“I don’t think so”, she replied, 
laughing so hard she nearly cried,
“but I don’t know which is redder, your jacket or your face!”
Out the door he bolted in a shameful haste, 
“Help me make it without being detected”,
fervently he prayed!!!

Exiting the ladies’ room door--- 
forget that handwashing chore,
already wet from drenching in cold sweat-- 
he ran straight into his son’s grimacing face, 
who was about to enter the men’s place, 
on the opposite side of the foyer.

Wouldn’t you know, the first thing he crooned,   
“Dad, what are you doing coming out of the ladies’ restroom?”
His explanation was somewhat short 
as this was just no time to cavort.
Out the restaurant door he flew 
for fresh air, mopping his brow in a grateful wheeew!


Won Honorable Mention in
Paula Swanson's Contest
"New Contest--The Light Is On, But Nobody Is Home"
June 13, 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Pettit Avatar
January 2, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Nothing produces a redder face than embarrassment. You have described everything quite well. No wonder it earned honorable mention in the contest.
Brown Avatar
June 21, 2010 at 7:46 AM
Congratulations on your win in Paula Swanson's contest "The Light Is On, But Nobody Is Home" Carolyn. Love, Carol
Belt Avatar
June 14, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Another Awesome Write Carolyn...Congrats on your win.....Great Write ...Larry
Green Avatar
June 14, 2010 at 3:27 AM
Congrats on your win!
Sweetheart Avatar
June 13, 2010 at 9:41 PM
Congrats Carolyn on your HM in Paula's contest.. a wonderful write and win.. a special honor to enjoy.. hope u are feeling better today from your loss last week.. still in all our prayers.. with luv Linda-Marie
M Avatar
June 6, 2010 at 4:13 PM
This situation is funny, but the way you described it makes it even funnier. I can just see his face, eyes bulging and knees weakened at the instant he realized where he was. Then, the timing of the son coming up just when he thought he had made his escape. I wonder how loudly the son's remark was said ...surely too loudly for the dad's liking. I enjoyed reading this. Again, you made it funny by your expression of the details.
Harrison Avatar
May 31, 2010 at 2:55 PM
Too funny! Poor guy, that must have been some sandwich he had! Your poem was too cute!
Horsman Avatar
May 28, 2010 at 2:46 AM
ever thought of writing a t.v script for a sit -com this is awesome harry
Freeman Avatar
May 27, 2010 at 10:22 AM
This is really a nice one, Carolyn. Awesome, the way it is written, your style of writing Free verse is wonderful, and most unique. Agape, Moses
Dietrich Avatar
May 27, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Good description of this kind of occurrence. It's happened to me at a swimming pool. Without my contacts in, I walked into the men's shower!! It can really be embarrassing. I enjoyed this. Luv, Andrea
Sepulvado Anderson Avatar
May 26, 2010 at 8:11 AM
Very enjoyable read. Hope you have a great day! Love Scarlett
Brown Avatar
May 25, 2010 at 7:51 AM
You made my day with this write Carolyn. Thank you so much for sharing. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
May 24, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Hysterical and funny Carolyn... laughed all the way and it has happened to us too..when my sons were young they came into the ladies room with me and hemmed and hawed about it but always embarresed by the incident... great story .. thankxxx for your sweet comments about your own incident with family member... have to type on lunch table only now... so little chilly today so no problem... luv.. Linda-Marie..
Belt Avatar
May 24, 2010 at 11:25 AM
LOL....Too Funny....Great Write Carolyn.....Larry
 Avatar
May 24, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Got a good chuckle out of this one. Enjoyed it. My uncle did this once only the room was full of women hooting at him as he opened the door. Thank you for this day brightener and for your kind words on my poem. Karen
Richards Avatar
May 24, 2010 at 9:35 AM
I love this story, Carolyn........what a scene that must have been!! He was lucky, that it was you standing there instead of a stranger!! I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened. Poor guy!!! How's his blood pressure???
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