Gay Parenting Shows Up Unexpectedly on Episode of "Judge Judy" // Mirrors Random Real Life Encounter

I spend a lot of time in an office writing. I'm one of those people who needs background stimulation to help keep me on-task. I listen to the radio. Or I listen to podcasts. Or (when I'm tired of post-election reflections, such as this past week) I play episodes of "Judge Judy" on my iPad.

One episode that played this morning involved some adult teens who created a late-night ruckus in a neighborhood, resulting in damage to the owner of a car. The car (which was being driven by one of those teens) was owned by the step-father of the other teen. The step-father was suing this guy who got upset by the teens' antics and who threw some object at the vehicle, which resulted in some damage.

My passive listening spiked towards the end of the case when this exchange occurred between Judge Judy and the Plaintiff:

Judge Judy: What kind of car do you drive?
Plaintiff: I have a Volvo SUV.
Judge Judy: And your wife? What kind of car does she have?
Plaintiff: I don't have a wife.
Judge Judy: You don't have a wife? So he's your stepson... How?
Plaintiff: His father.
Judge Judy: *Pause....*  *Slowly nods.*
Plaintiff: He drives a Jaguar.

And the case went off. To their credit, the audience rolled with this bit of revelation without any visible smirks or snickers. Which I've seen on these types of shows in the past. But it was an unexpected revelation.

It actually reminded me of an incident that happened here in Iowa City last night. I was at Hy-Vee last last evening to grab a few extra groceries. The cashier -- a lovely young lady who's way more chipper on her worst days that I ever am on my best days, more assuredly -- was chattering along with all sorts of off-hand questions and observations.

She asked me if I like the Slim Fast diet shakes that I was purchasing because her coach and her mother had recommended that she give them a try. I told her that I don't like them, but they're for my husband. I also noted that it was good to see the packaging size in-stock that he prefers, which doesn't always happen.

There was a bit of a empty pause while I started my credit card purchase before she blurted out with, "That makes me so happy, you talking about your husband! I have two moms!" And truly, she was beaming.

Both incidents just highlight how some offhand comments can bring about a sense of happiness and connectivity to random strangers -- when he lease expect it!

Incidentally, the ruling turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag. You can watch the whole episode here.