Member-only story
She Told Me I Looked Like I Needed to Shower
Even a little chip is a mark that has to heal all over again
I’d just stepped out of the shower, dripping wet, almost slipping across the tiles to answer the door for her. I think that’s why I find what she said so strange. Erica had a blunt way of speaking and often said of the cuff remarks, part of her charm.
But I couldn’t imagine telling someone they look like they need to shower as they stood in front of you with sopping wet hair creating a little bloom on the shirt they tossed on, saying, “sorry it took me so long to come to the door, I was in the shower.”
Erica made the remark in passing as we went to my room. I’d forgotten to give her the birthday gift I bought. When I handed it to her, Erica took one look and told me, “You look like you need to shower. It’s, like, every time I see you.”
Just like that. And it tweaked a little something inside of me.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I would rather someone tell me I stink up the entire room and need to take care of it than let me walk around not knowing. That is me. There was a time when I might’ve melted into the floor, but I’m thirty-four now and let me tell you, it’s better to be aware.
