Embarassing moment: Railroad Crossing

[DebinSC]

I can't let Robin go through the humiliation alone. One of his Embarassing Moments reminded me of one I'd buried deep in my memory. So here goes. It's a little long, but I hope it at least provides a chuckle.
Back in another life, during my first (short) marriage, my husband and I commuted to work together each morning from the Md. suburbs on one side of D.C. to the other. He was something of a know-it-all when it came to anything automotive, so when I was driving, I was particularly defensive when he would make even the smallest suggestion regarding my handling of the car.

So, one winter morning, we were on our way in to work and as we were coming up on a RR crossing next to a commuter station, traffice was creeping and I heard the crossing warning bells. The car in front continued across the tracks but I stopped. Even backed up a foot or so to make sure I wasn't too close to the track. DH says, "What are your waiting for?" and I said "Train's coming.I heard it." Just then we both heard the train whistle sounding again. He says "Go on across!", and I say, "No way! I'll wait. Not gonna try and outrun a train!"

Still he persists, "Go! Go!". At this point, I'm thinking he's nuts. You don't pull onto the tracks when the train's so close and the bells are clanging.
Just then, I look over and there are passengers waiting on the platform on the far side of the tracks, and they're all looking at us, and they start gesturing with their arms, as if saying, "Come on! Come across!"

The car behind us starts honking!

I think, "These people have all gone crazy! Why do they care if I get across before the train?"

And then the realization hits me -literally. There's a huge thunking, banging sound on the top of the car. The thing that had escaped me in my abundance of caution, was that I was stopped directly under the crossing barriers, which had just made a sizable dent in the car roof. so there we sat, as the train rushed past, with the big metal arms bouncing up and down overhead. ... and the folks on the near platform having a good laugh to start their day.

The "I told you so's" continued all the way to the office.

[sjasis]

OMG, Deb! That must have been so embarrassing, and my first DH would have done the exact same thing all the way to the office!

[sjasis]

Cute story, Lea!

[Boing Boing]

What sort of man didn't clock the risk of the barrier arm?!

[DebinSC]

Clearly that day, I was the only one within 100 yards who didn't have a glimmer re/the barrier arm. I am glad you enjoyed my story. :-$

[Andy P]

Chuckle, chuckle.