Finding The Lego Store

Rachel and I were wandering around the mall, today, looking for the Lego store.  I didn’t really know where it was but I kept guessing and walking here and there.  

Rachel said, on several occasions, “Let’s look at a directory.”

But I kept roaming about thinking it was probably right around the next corner.

Suddenly I began to chuckle because I realized we were having one of those experiences people frequently mention when they talk about the differences between men and women.  We weren’t driving in a car, lost, while I refused to stop and ask for directions.  But the situation was similar.  We were meandering around the mall and I didn’t know where the Lego store was located but I didn’t simply look at the mall directory.

I should say, in fairness to myself, that I was actually keeping my eyes open for a mall directory station while I was also looking for the Lego store.  I wasn’t opposed to consulting the directory.  On the other hand, though, I was not walking directly to one of the mall entrances which is where, I knew, a mall directory station would definitely be located.

I kept acting very confident and trying to give the impression that I was pretty sure I knew where the Lego store was located.  But even though Rachel is mentally challenged she knew that I didn’t really know.  Rachel’s intellectual capabilities may not be the same as a typical 24 year old, but she still seems to have a tremendously acute understanding of the times I don’t know what’s going on, even though I’m acting like I know what’s going on.

“Can we just look at a directory?” she continued to ask.  My attempt to act confidently knowledgeable about the situation was not fooling her.

Finally I broke down, walked to a directory, then—armed with accurate information—quickly and confidently walked straight to the Lego store.

Every now and then Rachel will give me one of those “I-told-you-so” comments.  But I think, in this case, she was so happy we were no longer wandering in the retail wilderness that she resisted the impulse and just enjoyed—finally!—being at the store.