Suite 408
I am going to pick up my mother-in-law at the doctor’s office. I was here just a few hours earlier so I know I’m going to Suite 408. I really don’t want to be late as she is not the most patient person in the world. At the doctors’ building the doors open to an empty elevator. I walk through and push the red button for
floor number four. “Ding,” the elevator sounds. I hurry off and take a look around.
I am going to pick up my mother-in-law at the doctor’s office. I was here just a few hours earlier so I know I’m going to Suite 408. I really don’t want to be late as she is not the most patient person in the world. At the doctors’ building the doors open to an empty elevator. I walk through and push the red button for floor number four. “Ding,” the elevator sounds. I hurry off and take a look around.
I was just here three hours ago and yet the grey walls and tan carpet look only vaguely familiar. I think I was supposed to make a right turn at the end of the hallway; maybe that is why Suite 408 is not here. This is so strange, heading down the right side of the hallway is even numbered suites and heading down the left seems to be odd. Yet, I still can’t find Suite 408.
So where am I? I feel out of sorts, could I be lost? I know this is the correct building. I am sure of this because I just paid another $8.00 for parking in the same garage as when I dropped her off this morning. I think I’m sure that was the same valet guy I gave my keys to earlier; he had black hair and a mustache. I know my mother-in-law is in this building.
I decide to take a look at the doctor’s business card that I kept safely in my wallet for the “just in case I forget” moment, otherwise known as a “senior moment.” I’m not wearing my reading glasses and the letters and numbers on the business card are bit blurred. Truthfully, I don’t want to put on my glasses. I don’t want to admit that I am having a really hard time seeing lately. I’ve gone from a 1.25 magnifying glass to a 2.50 within a year. I don’t like this at all. I again hold the small business card about eight inches from my eyes now and stare at the blurred writing in the lower left side. “408” I read. It’s so fuzzy, I think I should put my glasses on to be sure I’m reading the suite number correctly. “Naaa, I’m fine. Suite 408.“ I convince myself that I can see just fine.
But I still can’t find suite 408. I turn around at the end of the quiet hall way and again begin to walk down the long stretch of grey. I carefully read the numbers on each of the doors. I read the names of the doctors. Where is this guy’s name? Dr. Getzug. Why can’t I find the doctor’s name? I’m really sweating profusely now. Could it be my hormones? I have been blaming hormones for many things lately. Crazy. Relentlessly, I walk up and back and up and back again.
I’m nervous. I feel like I’m in some episode of Seinfeld, only I’m not looking for a car in the parking lot with Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. I am alone. The floor is empty. Where am I? I’m feeling a struggle stir within. Could it be I’m reading the card wrong? Am I not seeing the numbers as I thought I had seen? Could it be possible that I’m wrong? I fight the urge to put on my glasses. This is killing me. I finally give in and take a seat on the tattered beige carpet in front of the four elevator doors. I search my oversized purse and pull out my blue cheater- readers, I think that’s what they are called.
I’m not happy right now. I annoyingly put the glasses on my face. I know the card is going to say 408; it has to. But seriously, my eyes, is that what is going on? Finally, I give in and look at the card. Dismayed, I read, “Dr. Sheldon Getzug, Suite 603. “ Yep, it says Suite 603 in black and white. Staring me right in my bespectacled face. Man, am I off. I am so embarrassed, actually a bit humiliated at myself.
It’s a good thing my kids aren’t around, they would be laughing hysterically. I mean, really am I that forgetful and stubborn. Fifteen minutes I have been at this game. This is what my husband calls, “a total Stacey moment.” And what have I learned from this silly little goof? First, I’m definitely on the wrong floor. Second, it’s definitely not Suite 408 and third and finally, put on my glasses!