I worked late today and then got my hair cut after work. It was around dinner time by the time I was done with the rest of my errands and I decided to stop by Wendy’s for a quick meal.
I ordered my usual: Single combo, lettuce only, no cheese (you have to say ‘no cheese’ or you get cheese – it’s the default). Medium size. Chicken nuggets, regular, with BBQ sauce.
I paid for my meal and stepped to the side and back away from the counter to wait. The group after me ordered a few things – including chicken nuggets and fries.
The clerk set a tray out in front of me and put an order of chicken nuggets and fries on the tray. The woman in the group stepped in front of me, picked up a nugget to eat, then set it down and said,
“I hope those were mine,”
She then turned and saw me. I cocked my head to one side and raised an eyebrow.
She, and the rest of the people with her, were Mortified.
For my part, I’m not a germaphobe. As long as she didn’t sneeze directly on her hand right before she picked up the chicken nugget I would have been fine with it. Honest mistake, not a big deal, I’m not going to die.
She apologized and was a little flummoxed. I shrugged and suggested we just swap out the nuggets when the next batch comes out. Whatever.
When the clerk came back over she tried to explain what happened and used this phrase:
“I grabbed this guy’s nuggets,”
No, my dear, you did not – I thought. I would have noticed that.
And thinking such, I almost burst out laughing.
The clerk – who had clearly been working a long shift already – shrugged when the woman moved the nuggets to her tray and then brought me a fresh batch, along with my burger.
The group apologized again and I said it was no problem and went to eat my food.
Odd encounter, to say the least. Oh, well, at least I got a good story out of it. Actually, I guess she did too – if she’ll admit to it.