Have you been Caught Short©
lately? Know someone who has?
We'd love to read your Caught Short© story about the time
you got locked out of the house in your underwear, or when your pants fell
down leaving you and your underwear exposed unexpectedly or about that time
you thought you were home alone and guess what... . Please keep your stories
to 750 words or less. We're looking for original and real 'Caught Short©'
stories for our Caught Short page. Your contribution could earn you some
new underwear so the next time you're 'Caught Short©' you'll at least look
good! Please send your stories to: Comments
at BriefTales.com
Please, arrive early for your next flight…
I was recently at O’Hare airport, sitting outside security before heading
through security and entering the ‘sterile area’ as the area is
known once you’ve successfully been x-rayed, searched and questioned
and shown your boarding pass and ID at least three times. There were two seats
next to me, un-occupied. I had just bought a coffee from Starbucks and was
doing what I like most… people watch!
A guy, near 30’s, hurried over to where I was seated, plopped his suitcase
on the bench and started going through it like a mad man. I could tell this
guy was upset! Nonchalantly I asked if he had to ‘discard toiletries’
to get through security. He said he’d arrived late and couldn’t
check his bag since he was past ‘cut-off’ time and would have
to carry-on his bag: meaning he had to go through TSA security with it. Knowing
that, he had to throw out his shave cream, tooth paste, lotion, after-shave
and so on… Since I’d arrived at the airport earlier, I’d
seen a sign that indicated you could carry on these items, provided they fit
in a clear, 1 quart sized plastic bag and were identified to the TSA agent
when going through security. I told this to the guy who seemed still stressed.
He didn’t have a plastic bag.
As a seasoned traveler, I carry plastic Baggies as well as other odd items
that make the trip easier: rubber bands, towelettes, and kitchen trash bags.
You never know when you’ll have a need, right? I offered a ‘baggy’
to the guy and he seemed immediately relieved. He hurriedly stuffed the baggy
with his ‘stuff’, thanked me, yanked the handle of his suitcase
and headed for security. In his haste, he failed to zip his suitcase. As he
turned and headed in the opposite direction, the contents of his suitcase
went in a 180-degree direction…. Shoes, shirts, pants, socks, underwear!
Yep… just like a commercial but even better. I felt pretty bad for the
guy but couldn’t help enjoy the spectacle… Appearances are deceiving.
I took him for a boxer guy: wrong! Bikini briefs, probably a size 30 or 32,
all colors, contrasting waistband. Nice assortment for at least a 5 day trip.
I helped him retrieve his clothes and as I handed them to him, he stuffed
them back in his bag. Finally, after all of his clothes were picked up and
in his suitcase, he zipped it up and headed off.
I didn’t see he again but I bet he has some stories to tell, as do I.
No… there weren’t any cameras in the area…. It was just
a hurried traveler, experiencing what most of us fear!
(October 12, 2006) Sean
It was supposed to be a relaxing Saturday...
I slept a little later than normal but that
wasn't a problem. It was Saturday and I only had a few errands to run before
I needed to get ready for my date later in the day. WOW! A Date! Ten months
since my breakup and I hadn't been on a 'date'. Not any more. I'd been working
out and I was fired up and ready for romance.
My errands consisted of picking up and dropping
off laundry, stopping by for an oil change and then to the grocery store to
pick up a few items. Oh, yeah, I was going to pick out a new shirt. I wanted
to look as good as I felt when my date arrived.
I gathered my shirts, gym bag, and grocery
list and headed out. The top was down, the traffic was light. What could
be better? After I dropped off the laundry and picked up the clean shirts,
I headed to the gym. I didn't get back into shape without effort so I needed
to keep my momentum up and needed that last workout before my come-back. The
gym wasn't too busy: I didn't wait in line for the machines and went through
my routine quickly. No time for a shower, I'll do that at home. I headed to
the Mall to pick out a new shirt, something sexy, and something NOT me!
I needed change! And yeah, I need a new jockstrap.
Shopping was easier than I thought. I found the
perfect shirt to highlight my complexion and now I knew I'd be hot. Who could
resist? The jock was easy to find even though I hated asking the sales
clerk where they were. She didn't flinch though. I hurried to the grocery
store, then to have the oil changed. Maybe not such a good idea? The
line was pretty long. After a few minutes I
decided to leave the car and take in my daily run. I had my gym clothes
on; the weather was warm but not too warm. After a great 1 hour run,
I returned to pick up my car. The guy said it would be 1/2 hour more.
I was getting anxious.... maybe there wouldn't be enough time.. what if I
was late? Finally, the oil was changed and I was on my way home. I was
a nervous wreck. What had happened? I was supposed to have plenty of time
but the day went by so fast.
I pulled in the drive faster than normal, had
the garage door opened from a block away. Put the few groceries in the refrigerator
in the garage, dashed through the back garage door, up the stairs with my
clean laundry and my new shirt and jockstrap. Then I realized how hot it was
outside and how hot I was. The air hit me hard. I was boiling.
I quickly hung up the shirts, tossed my new shirt on the bed as I took off
my sweaty clothes. I had to cool down. The run, the gym and hot
air hadn't been noticeable because I rode with the top down. Now, in
the house, the cool air reminded me of how hot I was. I put on my new white
jockstrap and washed my face with cool water from the bathroom in my
bedroom. That felt good. I had to pop my new shirt in the washer along
with the new jock but I could just strip in the kitchen, start the laundry,
then shower. The washer was in the kitchen
closet: I could grab cold bottled water from the refrigerator before
I took a cool shower.
I quickly removed the pins and
collar stays, the tissue and hardboard in the collar and headed down stairs. I
hopped two steps at a time, trying to make up time... all the while thinking
about my date and trying not to forget to put my new jockstrap in the washer.
At the bottom of the stairs you take a sharp left into the kitchen dining
area where the washer is located. As I turned left into the kitchen,
I heard my brother ask his wife when she thought I'd be back. Oh
Sh_t! I forgotten
to leave out the painting supplies they were going to stop by and pick up. It
was too late to stop. I was in the kitchen: standing there in my new sweaty
jockstrap, holding my new shirt! All eyes turned towards me and I could feel
the glare or shock or...Staring at me from the dining room table was my brother,
his wife and their two teenage sons. Talk about embarrassed?
I quickly held my new shirt in front on me, apologized for forgetting
the painting supplies and dashed back upstairs to put on some shorts.
Needless to say, I was a bit embarrassed
to go back down stairs. By then, my brother and his family had made their
way to the garage and waited patiently as I rummaged through the shelves and
found the painting supplies I'd promised.
No one has said anything about that incident
but I'm still a little embarrassed around them. I guess I was in such a hurry
to be ready for my date, I didn't see their car out front.
(September 21, 2006: Richard)
