The Sandwich

So today was the day of our annual field trip for the 6th through 8th grade...

They were planning on forging the three hour round trip drive to Honeyman Park in Florence Oregon.

Having not been included in the initial plans for the excursion, I entertained ideas of getting things done around the school and preparing for the rest of the week as well as taking on additional duties supervising the students that were to be left behind at the school.

When the time came I decided I wanted to be part of this celebration and join the crew, even though it entailed a grueling bus ride and many screaming children...
In preparation for our departure I realized I was not dressed for the event, in my spring skirt and light shirt... So I wandered out to my faithful car to see if I could at least acquire a coat or jacket for what would surely be a cold day at the coast... Finding no such attire among the plethora of outfits which are casually strewn about my car I wandered back inside in search of another option.

I found my way to the office, and in a manner which I had done on more than one occasion asked our head secretary if I might barrow a school sweatshirt for the day. She rose out of her seat and procured the keys to a locked cabinet that contained the $35 sweatshirts that were reserved for students.

Now wearing a sweatshirt that was three sizes too big for me and looking thoroughly ridiculous, I was ready for my trip...
Having not planned on attending the main event I had also not packed a lunch for the outing...
I had only a brownie to my name and thought it might serve well as a bargaining chip for my lunch.

I learned quickly that sugary snacks and winding roads did not mix.
Feeling queazy from the start I tried to distract myself throughout the journey...

After arriving at the park and releasing the students to their posts at the lake and park I went about my mission to secure any form of sustenance to calm my stomach and regain my energy. I found my way to the concession stand and stumbled upon the free coffee reserved for visitors. Stumble was also the key word to describe my attempts to carry two coffees and a Nalgene clean across the park back to the picnic tables ending with me spilling coffee down my brand new sweatshirt.

Thankfully, one of my fellow teachers was kind enough to share his sandwich with me...
Finding that this still left me hungry I glanced around, knowing from experience that we often brought more sack lunches for the students than we needed...

The hunt continued until it was again time to set off on our return to school.

Helping to organize the students into their groups I scouted around picking up trash to help clean up our area.

Off in the distance I saw a table with a paper bag and orange Gatorade. Having known the students who used this table earlier, I asked if they belonged to someone in the group.

Finding that the articles were abandoned I set off to throw them away before boarding the buses...

On my way I was met by a small child who looked up at me and asked if I was about to throw away that perfectly good Gatorade... He asked if he could have it, and seeing as it was about to be tossed out I told him it was fine with me...
On my walk to the trash can I glanced down to see that I had stumbled upon the very bag lunch I had been looking for, and after noticing an abandoned sandwich and apple inside I added them to the pocket of my stolen sweatshirt before throwing the bag away.

Mr. R was also helping to clean up and lifted the lid of the trash can to help me.
As I was tossing the bag in, the little apple rolled from my pocket and fell on the ground.
After picking it back up, Mr. R mentioned that if it was bruised that I could have his apple, since he had a spare.

Moments later I am back with my students when Mr. R. walks up to me holding a familiar beverage and plainly asks if I had given away his orange Gatorade and stolen his lunch...
He said it had been the second time today that he had to get his drink back from some kid...

I mentioned that I still had his sandwhich in my pocket, and possibly from not hearing me, he patted me on the shoulder and said it was an honest mistake.

I found it funny that I had taken his lunch and given away his drink, then dropped his apple on the ground and had him offer me a knew one, which happened to be the very same apple I was holding...

I then rode the rest of the way home with the sandwich in my pocket, feeling slightly guilty and confused by the whole event.

On the bright side, I now have a sandwich for lunch tomorrow waiting in my fridge.