Meet Me In The Bathroom

Last night, John and I went to see Surfaces at Revolution in Ft. Lauderdale.

It was a fantastic show and we were definitely amongst the oldest people there (not counting parents who brought their teenagers). 

In line for the restroom, I see a girl slumped on the floor. She’s teary-eyed and looks like she’s about one vodka shot over her limit.

Raise your hand if you’ve been here before. 

“Baby? I’m gonna get you some water, ok?”

She looks up at me and pauses. Then, registers that I’m wearing a fucking cardigan and tan ballet flats to a concert and nods her head slowly as if to say, “Yeah. You are obviously someone’s mom. I can trust you.”

I grab a bottle of water and head back to the bathroom where the girl has vanished.

“Excuse me? What happened to the girl who was sitting her?”

“Is that your friend?”

“No but she’s not feeling well and she needs to drink this water.”

A little hand shoots out from under the stall. 

“Thank you! (blarghhh) I’ll Venmo you…”

“No, honey. Don’t worry about that. I need you to drink all of that water, ok? Drink it slowly but I need you to drink all of it. Did you throw up?”

“Uh huh….”

“OK. That’s good. Better out than in. Drink the water.”

“OK.”

Her friend showed up and I left her in their custody. 

I started thinking about all of the amazing women I’ve met in public restrooms - my friends who held my hair and reiterated that yes, he is being an asshole and that I DO deserve better.

The strangers who complimented my clothes or had long conversations with me about the best false lashes.

The women who saw me struggling with a diaper bag and fussy infant and helped me grab wipes and a blanket. 

You’ll never find kindness, protection and support like the kind you find amongst girls in the bathroom. 

So, to all of the women in my life:

1. These baby children do not know about shitty well drinks and shittier boys who make them cry in the bathroom. We do and it’s up to us to take care of them.

2. I love the hell out of you. Thank you for holding back my hair, holding my kid and holding me up. 

Next round is on me.