Pregnant or not pregnant?

God, how can I be so stupid? The following scene takes place…
I stand at the Holland Pavilion booth with Sebastian. A number of people come up to me as it’s rather unusual with a baby at a business fair. One woman is 6 months pregnant and we chat a bit about pregnancy and babies. After this I get introduced to another woman, wearing a similar dress sporting a slight bump. Perhaps it was just the angle she was standing in, but I think she looks pregnant, although early stage. So I congratulate her on her pregnancy. She smiles, somewhat embarrassed and says “I’m not pregnant”. The only thing that is pregnant is the silence. The whole fair seems to come to a standstill and I hear only white noise. I sense little droplets of sweat coming down my forehead.

My boss, who is the only other witness to this debacle, seems to want to disappear from this earth, or perhaps more accurately praying for my own earthly demise. I on the other hand cover my hands for my face and says “No, No, NO. I am so sorry”.  I am embarrassed beyond embarrassment. I remove myself from the scene, not a quick exit, more like fading out of the picture. I have no clue where to go next. In fact the whole scene seems unreal. Like something out of a Seinfeld episode. I see my husband and his team and as with any of my disastrous experiences, like the shoe in the train window or getting caught with toilet paper out of my ass, I have an immediate urge to tell people. I need to hear some comforting words, like “it’s OK, I’ve done the same thing too”.  My husband is not really interested. But T is and even offers some supporting words as he tells me he also thought she was pregnant. Phew, I draw a sigh of relief.

close up of me & Wouter