a bad conversation
man on platform: “this train isn’t going to smith-ninth*, is it?”
liz: “i don’t think so”
man on platform: “okay, thanks.” [pause] “you’re pregnant?”
liz: “uh, no.”
man on platform: “oh. because your coat.”
liz [silently curses new flared-waist coat]: “no.”
man on platform: “oh.”
liz: “that’s why you never ask women if they are pregnant. because if you’re wrong it’s kind of insulting.”
man on platform: “oh well i thought because of your coat, you were pregnant.”
[pause]
man on platform: “well maybe someday.”
*it was