Recently, Erajh and I went out to a restaurant with the girls. Between the appetizer and the main course, I decided to go and change Hazeline’s diaper. As soon as I went to pick her up, I realized we had an emergency situation on our hands. I hurried to the bathroom, but before I knew it Greenleigh was walking right next to me. She had already gone to the bathroom but wanted to accompany us for the trip. I really, really didn’t want her there because it was obvious that I had a lot of work ahead of me, but we were already walking through the bathroom doors when I realized she was with me, and it was too late to turn back.
Unfortunately, this particular restaurant decided to put the changing table in the handicapped stall. I really hate when they do that. The three of us proceed in and locked the door behind us. No sooner do I get the changing table open and Hazeline laying down, do I realize that Greenleigh is attempting to use the bathroom, yet again. I have to some how figure out how to hold my infant on the changing table and lift my toddler onto the high handicapped toilet. Oh, and the changing table and toilet are easily 4 feet apart. I have no idea how I did it, but I somehow managed to do both and went back to changing Hazeline, who is covered from head to toe in poop. Everything was going fine, until I realized that I had no wipes. Oh my. I scrambled to do the best I could with some wet paper towels, but was pretty much loosing the battle.
Just as I was pulling the poop soaked outfit off of Hazeline (oh how my love of one piece rompers really screwed me on this one), I notice that there is an elderly lady with a walker looking through the open slats on the sides of the bathroom door. I instantly felt terrible. This is exactly why I hate for them to put the changing tables in the handicapped stalls. I have had to wait for the handicapped stall before (while carrying a 21 pound child who needs an emergency diaper change) and it’s no fun. In this case, it must have been bad timing – she had to have come into the bathroom right after I did and was waiting for her turn in that particular stall. I hurried to get Hazeline cleaned up and in new clothes, but it did take a while. Not to mention, my toddler was still attempting to use the bathroom and was giving a play-by-play of exactly what was happening at the top of her lungs. Greenleigh feels that I need to know what’s going on at all times and will say it as loud as she thinks necessary to get my attention. Oh, and she had to drown out Hazeline, who was at a high-pitched scream right about now.
I’m not sure how I heard it over the toddler play-by-play and Hazeline’s near deafening screams, but it was right about then that a sarcastic voice outside the stall said, “Are you going to be in there all night?” Oh. Hell. No. That did not just happen. Although I was nearly done, anyone within 500 feet of this stall knew that all hell was breaking loose inside. And as bad as I felt for the lady as I saw her voyeuristically looking through open slats on the sides of the door, I now felt rage. How dare she?
I grabbed Hazeline off the changing table, in all her screaming glory, and cracked opened the door. The conversation went a little something like this:
Me: Oh, I must be mistaken, I thought I heard someone say something out here.
Elderly Woman: It was me. I asked if you were going to be in there all night.
Me: You know I actually felt bad and tried to hurry for you, but it looks like you are going to have to wait a lot longer now.
I then closed the door in her face.
Ask me if I feel bad. ‘Cause I totally don’t.
Despite how adversarial I may be as an attorney, I tend not to be in my personal life. In the past I’ve written about how I prefer to turn the other cheek and leave it to karma to sort these types of situations out. And I meant it. I believe in karma. I trust in karma. But I suppose that every now and again karma should get a day off too, right?
Why is it that people with a Handicap think the handicapped stall is theirs and theirs alone? I one time was waiting in line to use the toilet and 2 older women said the person that comes out of that handicap bathroom better be handicapped. I was wishing I was in front of them so I could jump in it as soon as the person came out. I don’t look handicapped but because of a hip replacement, I should use a higher toilet than the regular ones. (Since I don’t sit on a public toilet it doesn’t matter what I use…… But I would of made sure I used it this time and I would of taken my good ole time.
Good for you for standing up for yourself…. Some people with handicaps are mad at the world and think they can treat others like crap. Some old farts are the same way.
My daughter is now 14 but I remember when she was a toddler, she would give me the play by play from the bathroom stall. If she had to go both poop and pee, she said she was going #3, it was really cute. So glad you got your girls cleaned up and outa there – hope you enjoyed the rest of your dinner!
Lisa
http://www.lisagradessweinstein.blogspot.com/
Good. For. You! As if you weren’t having a hard enough time, and like it was some big mystery what was going on it there. And like YOU picked that location for the changing table! She obviously wasn’t too concerned about HER karma – I’m glad you didn’t let her get away with that attitude.
I might have made another joke back to her. As I dont know the tone, I dont know if she was trying to be funny or not. Some people just have ill timed jokes, Of course who knows, maybe you would have taken it better on a different day?
I too hate when they put the changing table in the handicapped stall. But as for Terry up there – there is usually ONE handicapped stall for every 5 or more regulars. I try to keep it clear for those who actually need it – as I appreciate when people who dont need the things I need, leave them avail for me!
Hey Stopping by/following from the stalker hop!
XOXO
Paula
OMGosh! You poor thing! I have been there and sooo feel for ya!! And don’t mind Ethel… it’s probably been 50 years since SHE’s had small children- she’s too old to remember! And don’t worry about Karma, I think you’re good! Thanks for sharing and hang in there!