a bad non-meeting

Today I am meeting with someone who worked for me six years ago.  Laura is smart, beautiful, stylish, and exceptionally competent.  She now has a big job at a media company.

I spent some of yesterday prepping…organizing the presentation, getting a manicure, and having a leg wax.  I spend much of today reviewing the presentation, making copies, etc.

I wear my new skirt, style my hair, put on mascara, and leave the house feeling good.  I get to Laura’s office and the lobby receptionist greets me by saying, “Hi, are you Laura’s mother?”  Laura is about 32.  Sure, I could be Laura’s mother, but I was hoping if I looked like any of Laura’s relatives, it would her sister and not her mother. 

Then, no one can find Laura.  After a ten minute or so wait, it is determined that Laura is not in. 

I later get a phone call and an email with profuse apologies.  Laura is mortified.  I tell her I’m more devastated by her lobby receptionist than by her forgetting our meeting.

We reschedule for next week.  I need time to recover.