Suspenders

 Have you ever worn something somewhere that everyone thinks is a little weird, but you're convinced that it's the greatest thing since grilled cheese?

     Here's my experience with that.
I was at the library, standing in line to check out some books (as we writers like to do), and I hear this sort of whispering behind me.
    Sure, I'd gotten some weird looks about my purple suspenders, but never people talking about it right behind me. This was something I had to hear.
    I sort of looked around casually, and the people behind me immediately stopped talking. It was a woman and her teenage son. As soon as I looked around, of course, they looked everywhere but at me--really tactful, don't you agree?
     I turned back to the front and tilted my head to the side slightly to leave an ear free of my hair. Sure enough, they went at it again.
     "Suspenders?" the mom hissed.
     "Purple, too," her son muttered. He didn't sound nearly as, ah, repulsed by them as his mom, but he sure thought it was weird.
     "Who wears that?" she murmured. "In public?"
     Ah, the idle gossip of the public.
     I turned around and smiled as it was my turn. She straightened up, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, and pretended to ignore me, but I could tell she was embarrassed. Serves her right for talking bad about my purple suspenders.

I just thought this was funny--purple suspenders and pistols?

     As I left, I just laughed. I mean come on, lady, how shallow can you get? People can wear what they want, when they want, where they want. It's none of your business what they liked to wear, but thanks for sharing your opinion and giving the rest of us something write and laugh about.
     She was just jealous.
At least, that's what I tell myself. Whatever keeps the boat afloat.
-Anevay