Life's a Stitch

Ever have one of those moments when, after the fact, you realize your heart is visibly pounding through your Philosopher’s Wool sweater? Using the Philosopher’s Wool sweater was a bit of artistic license, but I wanted to emphasize the fact that it was beating really hard. Here’s the story:

I’m at Elina’s apartment in Edmonton, which she shares with Jenny. E’s boyfriend is around a lot, but this afternoon E and BF were both at work and J was out. BF was due back sometime in the afternoon to pick me up to go where else? Shopping. So. I’m home alone watching Meet the Parents and knitting. The phone rings indicating someone is at the front door. E had told me to pick it up and press 9. I picked it up, asked who it was, and receiving no answer pressed 9. I unlocked the door for BF. I heard a knock at the door and thought it was strange that he was knocking. "Come in," I said, and he did. Only it wasn’t him, but a big burly rough looking guy who came in, locking the deadbolt behind him, taking up the entire doorway.

"Who are you?" says I.

"Does Jen live here?"

I thought it was strange since Jenny doesn’t usually go by Jen, and he really didn’t look like the kind of guy she hangs out with, but ever helpful even when terrified, I said yes.

"Who are you?" I repeat.

"Is Jen here?"

"What’s her last name?" What a stupid question to ask. Even though he was blocking the only way out I wasn’t that threatened, as he seemed genuinely confused.

"This isn’t the the right building is it?" says he.

"I don’t know," I said, "but you’re giving me a heart attack."

He truly felt badly, and left sheepishly, asking me politely not to call the police or anything. He left saying, "I can’t believe I just walked right into this building."

I promptly closed that door and deadbolted it behind him.

Looking back I realize what I did wrong in that situation, but I never felt panic. I wonder what he was thinking. I think it was a case of mutual shock.

My trip to Edmonton is winding up, but not without a trip to River City Yarns, Edmonton’s newest yarn pusher. They had lots of different stuff – Lili Chin yarn and patterns, two kinds of bamboo, a good selection of things I don’t usually see, but I ended up with some Noro silk garden for Sally Melville’s Shape it scarf and Baby Alpaca for a ribbed scarf:

On to Ottawa!