Small World Isn't It?

This Saturday we took the kids to clean the church. It was our turn on the cleaning rotation and we had one of Maren's friends along who may have thought she was on a (lame) playdate". The kids were helpful enough so after we were done cleaning we decided to let her (Maren's friend) pick the place where we would treat the kids to some lunch for a job well done. She decided on Burger King. (We distinctly got the impression she does not eat fast food and sadly, our kids can name 4 fast food places. I should probably include this parantheses in my FAILURES post a few posts back.) :)

So! We (5 kids/2 adults) are sitting in Burger King, which was not very busy, eating our food. My seat was facing the counter and across the table from Jon and I glance up and see somebody sitting in the chair to the left of Jon.

NO WAY!!!! It was "The Store Who Shall Not Be Named Stalker". Do you remember that post a few posts back?

How could it be? I'm certain he had no idea he was sitting by us. I was amazed he was so close in proximity to us. At first I thought I would pretend I didn't notice him. Then I started to think, I wonder what he was thinking? Why did he behave that way? This could be my only chance to find out what his take on the experience was.

So I let him finish his burger and planned to talk with him as soon as he was done. He got up to leave incredibly fast so I ran after him outside into the rain and asked him to please explain his behavior. He said he was sorry and that he thought I was so beautiful. He said he considered writing a letter to me saying he was sorry. I told him it is uncomfortable to be followed around and I hope that is not how he normally conducts himself. I told him the manager at the store said he had no prior incidences which was a positive thing and I told him I hoped his job wasn't in jeopardy because of me. I just wasn't sure how handle that circumstance. After the conversation I felt I had found resolution.

Today I decide to go to the store and see him immediately as I walk in. He is busy and turned the other way so I zoom right by. I'm pretty sure he didn't see me. I am in a tall aisle and see him walk by. He doesn't notice me and then realizes who I am and he turns and comes over and says "Thanks for caring about me losing my job." I said "Your welcome, I didn't want to mess with your life but I did want you to know that behavior is not OK." He says goodbye and I say "See you around".

I think this chapter of my life shopping experience is now over. Do you think the lesson I am supposed to learn from this is that I need to be more assertive? Maybe it would have helped me if I had dealt with the experience right then and there. What would you have done?