Ignorance is Bliss Until...

Tonight, we headed off to a Durham Bull's baseball game to see one of my old-man-friends sing the Star Spangled Banner. Who knew the seated tickets would be sold out and standing room only was even an option? Twenty eight dollars later, we were walking around the stadium looking for a fence to lean against.

We saw an empty picnic table and headed in that direction. We would be able to see Hy, a WW II veteran and USO volunteer, stand on home plate and sing. We had about 15 minutes before the game started, so we grabbed a plate and headed through the line for some food. Once we got close to the end of the line, I realized there was no cash register to pay. The lady behind me said, "That's the beauty of these tickets!"

DING! DING! DING! Somehow we had wondered into a private box, loaded plates...Tony even had a beer in one hand, and no one had stopped us! Do we throw everything away and leave or do we shovel down the food and leave quickly and hope no one confronts us? Before I could make the decision, the boys were happily chowing down and wondering why all I had on my plate was baked beans. I just couldn't add a burger once I knew we were gate crashers!

Sotta voce', I whispered, "Eat quickly!" Not knowing who had invited all of the folks in the box, I didn't know if they were watching us. Hiding guilt is not my specialty! Just one look and he would know we didn't belong.

Thank heavens everyone wolfed down their food. As we were leaving, I think the owner spotted us and started our way. We avoided eye contact, fled up the stairs past the security person who had returned to her post, and blended into the crowd before we could be confronted!

Hy sang beautifully! I was so proud of him and so ashamed of us! Happy Fourth of July!